In the world, there are more than 3,400 species of snakes. And in Mexico, we have more than 400 species, of which around 68 are considered poisonous. We as nature lovers are in constant contact with different habitats, and therefore we run the risk that a snake will cross our path. Here you will find everything you need to know about the poisonous snakes of Mexico.
What you should know about the poisonous snakes of Mexico
The first thing you need to know is that there are poisonous and non-poisonous snakes. And all play a fundamental role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem since they control the population of small mammals, such as mice, birds, fish, reptiles, including other snakes and even insects.
The poisonous snakes of Mexico
You should know about Mexico’s poisonous snakes because 2 families of snakes are poisonous and dangerous for man: elapids (sea serpent, coral reefs), vipéridae (rattlesnakes, nauyacas, cantil). It should be noted that the level of danger depends on how toxic your venom is, how much venom the snake can inject, and how likely you are to be bitten.
Among the snakes, some species have a pair of teeth in the posterior portion of the mouth with a paddle that facilitates the inoculation of venom useful for obtaining prey but with a non-lethal effect for humans. This group is considered semi-poisonous, and in general, they are not considered in this document.
Just over 11% of the world’s snake species are found in Mexico.
1. Sea snake. ( Pelamis Plata ) Speaking of venom quality, this is the most poisonous snake in Mexico and the least known to the general public. It lives in the Pacific coastlines, and although they are relatively abundant and have the most toxic venom of the poisonous snakes of Mexico, a mixture of neurotoxic, myotoxic, and hemolytic, it is not considered dangerous since they are not aggressive, they are shy and the risk of bite it is minimal.
2. Coralillo or coral snake. ( Micrurus and Micruroides, 12 species in Mexico). They are usually brightly colored (red, yellow, and black), but some species have different colors. Its neurotoxic venom is potent. It attacks the victim’s central nervous system, causing paralysis, respiratory arrest, and high lethality in the absence of an antidote. Incidents with these snakes are rare as they are nocturnal, timid, and have a tiny mouth, which, when combined with “fixed” fangs (they do not move as in the case of rattlesnakes), makes it very difficult for there to be ophidism if not being manipulated. It is found in almost all of Mexico, mainly in desert, subtropical and tropical areas.
3. Rattlesnake. ( Crotalus and Sistrurus ) This one needs no introduction; it is one of the best known poisonous snakes in Mexico. Don’t you know what it is? It appears on the shield of the flag. And it is not by chance, since Mexico has the greatest diversity of this species. You can find it in each of the 32 states of the republic. At least 42 different species have been identified in the country (including subspecies in some of them). Its most notable characteristic is the rattlesnake on their tails, accumulating as they shed their skin (except for the Catalina Island rattlesnake, which does not accumulate a rattle). Depending on the species, its venom can be primarily cytotoxic, hemotoxic, neurotoxic, or a combination.
4. Nauyacas. (Genus Atropoides, Mixcoatlus, Bothirechis, Ophryacus, Cerrophidion, Porthidium and Bothrops) They are also known as a lever, velvet, Lavaca, pig’s head, four noses, tinsel. Their unpredictable, aggressive, and nervous temperament makes them very dangerous. Its venom is primarily hemotoxic; that is, it causes hemorrhage, necrosis, the collapse of the cardiovascular system, acute kidney failure, and death risk if not received care. They are of humid and hot climates and can be found from the South of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosí to Chiapas and extends to Central America.
5. Cantil. (Agkistrodon) Its venom is primarily hemotoxic. It is found mainly in the coastal fringes, from Sonora in the Pacific and Tamaulipas in the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan peninsula. They are very aggressive when they feel cornered. If your bite is not treated, it can be fatal.
Types of poison
The venom of snakes is complex mixtures of toxins, enzymes, and non-toxic substances. Their primary effect can be classified into three types: cytotoxins, neurotoxins, and hemotoxins.
1. Cytotoxins. This type of poison destroys the body’s cells and causes the death of the cells of a tissue or organ, which is known as necrosis. These toxins help to digest the prey even before eating it partially. Cytotoxins are generally specific for the type of cell they impact; for example, there are cytotoxins that damage cells of the heart, muscle, kidney, among others.
2. Neurotoxins. These toxins attack the nervous system, disrupting the chemical signals that are sent between neurons. They cause muscle paralysis, which can also lead to shortness of breath and death. Snakes in the Elapidae family typically produce neurotoxic venom. These snakes have small, erect fangs and include cobras, mambas, sea snakes, and coral snakes.
3. Hemotoxins. They are poisons that have primary effects on the blood, destroying its cells and disrupting normal clotting processes. In other words, they inhibit clotting and function as anticoagulants causing internal bleeding by preventing blood from clotting or clotting effects that cause blood cells to clump together, forming clots that block blood circulation and can lead to heart failure. Snakes in the Viperidae family, such as the rattlesnake, produce hemotoxins.
Difference between a poisonous and a non-poisonous snake
There are common characteristics that can help identify some groups of poisonous snakes:
1. If it’s marine, it’s poisonous.
2. If the snake has a rattle, it is poisonous. Only rattlesnakes have rattles.
3. Jingle bells, nauyacas, and cliffs have triangular heads. The shape has to do with the venom sacks; if it is triangular, be careful!
4. May have side holes on the head for heat detection. This physical attribute is present in rattlesnakes and their close relatives (nauyacas and canticles).
5. The coral reefs in northern Mexico have full rings of FROG colors (red-yellow-black-yellow), but some false corals have similar colors and, in practical terms taking snakes to check their belly is a terrible idea. From the center of Mexico to the south, we find different colors in this group, so the simplest way to avoid an accident is to avoid handling the snakes, especially if their species is unknown.
Symptoms and clinical manifestations
Signs and symptoms vary according to the venom’s characteristics, the amount of venom injected, and the tissue into which it was injected.
Local signs and symptoms are characterized by: | Common systemic manifestations are: |
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20% of bites are cold or dry, that is, they do not inject poison. A snake can bite several times in a row, injecting enough venom to cause health problems.
First aid
Remember that you should carry a first aid kit with you whenever you go out to practice any outdoor activity, such as hiking, camping, hunting, or fishing.
What to do?
- First of all, you have to stay calm and act in a rational and planned way.
- Immobilizes the affected person and limb.
- Immediately after the bite and for about 5 minutes, if you have a poison extractor, use it. Its effectiveness is a matter of dispute with data ranging from the extraction of 50% of the poison to where its benefit is zero, but in any case, it is not a harmful practice. The use of a pump does not exempt you from medical treatment.
- Call for medical help, or transport the person to a hospital.
- Make sure you know the following information to share with specialists: time of the bite, age, sex of the person, geographic location where the bite occurred, size, and type of snake.
- Reassure the person since the more stressed the poison spreads faster through their body.
- Remove watches, bracelets, chains, belts, tight clothing, shoes, especially in the bite area, as they can prevent blood circulation.
- Keep the person well hydrated.
- The best treatment consists of applying the specific anti-poison for each species (monovalent) or polyvalent, in case of not having the necessary specific or not knowing the particular species that caused the accident.
What should NOT be done?
- Do not cut or incise, as it can cause bleeding.
- Don’t cauterize the wound.
- Avoid sucking the poison into your mouth as you run the risk of causing an infection.
- Do not do tourniquets; this can cause problems related to lack of circulation in the affected limb and, in some vessels, make amputation due to gangrene necessary.
- Avoid self-medication, especially pain relievers such as aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) that affect clotting.
- Do not administer alcohol, drugs, or food.
- Do not try to capture the snake; it could bite you.
- If you can photograph the snake, and if it stays in the area, don’t lose sight of it.
- Don’t try to manipulate the snake, even if it appears to be dead. It can bite even after decapitating it.
- Don’t put ice on the wound.
- Avoid shaking or physical activity after the accident.
Snake venom is protein so you can only be poisoned by an open wound. If there is no wound, the poison is digested.
Recommendations
- The first rule: take a good look at where you are going to put your feet, your hands, and where you will sit. Most accidents occur due to not paying enough attention to the environment.
- Never bother snakes. A significant part of accidents occurs when handling them.
- Stay away from snakes. If it is not possible to get away in time, refrain from making sudden movements.
- Snakes are cold-blooded, so they need the sun to keep warm. Be careful when the sun rises in the morning, after the rain, or sunset, as they come out to sunbathe.
- Do not go out to the field without shoes. It is best to wear canvas pants (thick), high leather boots, or thick rubber under the pants to walk in tall grass or undergrowth.
- Never touch a snake, even if it appears dead. Some stay put, so they don’t attack them. Snakes can bite even minutes after being decapitated.
- When you go out into the bush, learn about the local poisonous snakes. Learn to distinguish them and recognize the areas where they live. Most live at ground level in caves, under rocks, logs, or bushes.
- Be careful at night, as most snakes are nocturnal and more active. Instruct children not to go barefoot, preferably to wear boots, and to carry a flashlight when they go out at night (it is always preferable not to go out).
- Do not lift stones or logs with bare hands, or put your hand or foot into holes, holes in trees, nests, or caves. Before going over a log, carefully examine the other side for snakes and, if possible, feel for it with a stick.
- In inhabited areas or work areas, keep the grass short, free of weeds and debris that can attract rodents as they are part of their diet.
- Don’t sleep on the floor since snakes could approach guided by body heat.
- Avoid walking through unfamiliar areas, such as forests, jungles, flooded areas, etc.), and if you do, it is advisable to do so accompanied by local dogs.
- In the case of Coralillos, be careful when working on the ground, drilling wells, or digging trenches, especially when lifting pieces of earth. Take special care with children who are attracted to their bright colors and their lack of aggressiveness.
Remember that the poisonous snakes of Mexico are part of the wealth of the country. Take care and respect its fauna!
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