Table 3. Snake species with cardiotoxic effects in humans [23, 24].

Common name (s)	Habitat/habit	Species-specific toxin	Clinical manifestation	Antivenom availability
Variable Burrowing Asp (Atractaspis irregularis)*	Tropical and moist forest terrain, Savanna regions at the edge of forest and at elevations up to about 1800 m. Fossorial and nocturnal	Cardiotoxins (endothelin-like activity of sarafotoxin) Necrotoxins	Local pain, swelling, bruising, blistering and necrosis Ischaemia or infarction	No Antivenoms
Gaboon Viper (Bitis rhinoceros)**	Rainforest, secondary forest and forest fringes up to about 2000 metres elevation Terrestrial, often found in leaf litter where its colour and pattern provide excellent camouflage	Procoagulants (Fibrinogenases) Anticoagulants Haemorrhagins (Zinc metalloproteinase) Cardiotoxins (Present but not defined) Necrotoxins (Present but not defined)	Cardiotoxicity—coagulopathy haemorrhages 60–80% rate of envenoming Marked local effects; pain, severe swelling, bruising, blistering Minor neurotoxic paralysis	FAV-Afrique Antivipmyn Africa Polyvalent Snake Venom Antiserum SAIMR Polyvalent Antivenom SII Polyvalent Antisnake Venom Serum (lyophilized)

[+ = present but not defined

* = WHO category 1—Highest medically important venomous snakes

** = WHO category 2—Secondary medically important highly venomous snakes].