Stiletto Snake strike technique

[Biosmith]

Interesting footage:

Notice the repeated side striking technique. This snake is never to be handled with bare hands

Have a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PU53ddi_ww

Regards

Francois

[Wolf777]

That don't look too fun!

[fredsmith]

Eish. Pretty hardcore animal.
The fangs of a stileto... They''re fixed huh? In that they're not hinged in the way a viper of adder's are?

[Beno]

I dont know anything on these snakes,but would like to get a few questions answered.
Why the side striking technique?
Whats the venom and bite like?
Sorry if its been discussed before,but just in short.

Thanx

[Serpy]

They strike sideways because of the way their fangs are positioned, they're positioned horizontally in the mouth, the venom is quite toxic, fairly cytotoxic too, necrosis and lots of pain.

[Biosmith]

Yip. Serpy is correct, thats why they cant be necked safely. Bites from this snake has caused quite a few digit amputations.

Never trust an unassuming looking snake untill you have Identified the species 100%

[Bernice]

the fangs are long, fixed and set at an angle, the snake only has to buckle the bottom jaw out of the way and tag you with a sideways flick of the head, it doesnt even have to open its mouth to bite you... Nasty venom, pain swelling, necrosis, and some neurotoxic effects thrown in for good measure, vomiting nausea dissorientation etc... fingers are routinely lost to this little snake as there is no realy safe way to pick them up. You cant neck them, they have no neck! grab them by the tail and they swipe you!

Most info sources describe them as inflicting and unpleasant bite, but not as being deadly... personally I wont take the chance...

[Beno]

Interesting...
Thanks guys.

[jka]

Bernice is right but remember other species of Atractaspis has proven lethal (mosty children I think) so be weary you don't want to become a statistic.

[rolandslf]

If a person is allergic to Bee Stings or similar toxins, would it be correct to then say that the consequences of a Stiletto bite increase with regard to fatality.

[Mongoose]

Roland, I wouldn't say that is right, but not totaly incorrect.

I think your chances of having an alergic reaction to Stilleto venom would increase, and you have a better chance of dying due to the allergic reaction, rather than dying from what the venom does to your body.

I'm speaking under correction though.

[armata]

This is a burrowing snake and the fang mechanism has evolved to deal with prey in restricted places, burrows etc. Hence the trick of erecting the fangs without opening the mouth.

A.microlepidota has caused fatalities in the Mid East.

[rolandslf]

@ Mongoose - Thank You for that info., why I ask is because I am allergic to bee stings and we have enough of them (Stilletos') here in my part of the world.
I wont be taking any chances with one of these critters.

[stretch]

I was bitten by a Stilletto about 14 years back and it was no fun, was transporting what was supposed to be a purple glossy snake for a friend.

Necked the snake only to be bitten twice on my finger, had a lot of swelling all the way up my arm and into my neck. Spent the night in hospital, symtoms cleared after about 24 hours.

Fortunately it wasn't something more venomous as the hospital (private) didn't have a clue what to do.

[shocks]

a friend of mine was also bitten twice by 2 of these babies and was both times very close to losing his finger.Both snakes bit him on the same finger