Skip to main content
. 2012 Nov 28:938–965. doi: 10.1016/B978-1-4160-4390-4.00134-X

TABLE 134.5.1.

Species responsible for most deaths and morbidity resulting from snakebite.

Specific antivenoms are manufactured for the treatment of envenoming by all these species (see Table 134.5.2 and reference [11])

Area of distribution Latin name* English name
North America Crotalus adamanteus Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox Western diamondback rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus Pacific rattlesnake

Central America Crotalus simus Central American rattlesnake
Bothrops asper Terciopelo

South America Bothrops atrox Common lancehead, fer-de-lance, barba amarilla
Bothrops asper Terciopelo
Bothrops jararaca Jararaca
Crotalus durissus South American rattlesnake

Europe Vipera berus Viper, adder
Vipera ammodytes Long-nosed viper

Africa Echis spp. Saw-scaled or carpet viper
Bitis arietans Puff adder
Naja nigricollis, Naja mossambica, etc. African spitting cobras
Naja haje Egyptian cobra
Dendroaspis spp. Mambas

Middle East Echis spp. Saw-scaled or carpet vipers
Daboia palaestinae Palestine viper
Macrovipera lebetina Levantine viper

Southeast Asia and India Naja spp. Asian cobras
Bungarus caeruleus Common krait
Daboia russelii Western Russell's viper
Daboia siamensis Eastern Russell's viper
Echis carinatus Saw-scaled or carpet viper
Calloselasma Malayan pit viper
(Agkistrodon) rhodostoma
Cryptelytrops (Trimeresurus) spp. Green pit vipers

Far East Naja atra Chinese cobra
Bungarus multicinctus Chinese krait
Gloydius spp. Mamushis
Protobothrops flavoviridis Habu
Protobothrops mucrosquamatus Chinese habu

Australasia Acanthophis species Death adders
Notechis scutatus Tiger snake
Oxyuranus scutellatus Taipan
Pseudonaja textilis Eastern brown snake
*

Scientific (Latin) names are important because they are used internationally to describe the range of specificity of antivenoms.