Coperhead venom

[BWSmith]

I don't consider that one to be "death by Copperhead", it is "Death by poor medical care"

[SCReptiles]

Yeah, I agree. But you can make that same argument about most North American snake deaths.

[chas*e]

If you are bitten by a copperhead the medical protocol is (if no anaphylactic shock) a topical antiseptic ,an anti-inflamatory to lessen edema(swelling) , and observation(for necrosis)...that is what I was told by a doctor whom is knowledgable with A.g envenomations...the pain is intense I have been told....ps...I agree with Matt ..wasn't there a death in the 40s.

[Jeremy]

I recived a one fang bite by a neonate intergrade contortrix/mokasen on the tip of my right index finger and experinced edema all the way down to the wrist, includeing the thumb and entire right side of my right hand. There was also a bruseing line that formed all of the way up my arm and underneath my arm pit. The swelling persisted for about 2 weeks and eventualy subsided. All of the skin surrounding the entry point, about dime size patch on the tip of my index finger sloughed off and that was one of the grossest thing I have ever seen!! A lovely pustual formed just prior to that which had to be poped and drained for a few days. After that, the skin came off. Eventuly it all healed and the only lasting effects are a numbness if you will right at the tip of the finger. I belive a few nerves were fried and although there is feeling, it is very dull.

The Agkistrodon genus is renouned for major localized effects and many people in the western hemisphere have lost digits as a result. Of cource coppers would be on the low end of this, surpassed by cottons and cantils. I belive cantil bites drop for drop are alot worse but due to the potnteialy large size of cottons, they would have to be potential the worst to be bitten by. BTW, this extream hemotoxicity can also be seen in all of the closely related genera to Agkistrodon. Deniagkistrodon and Calloselasma are probaly the worst, many times causeing hemo effects of the entire bitten limb with massive necrosis. I have seen some pictures of bites by these genera and they can cause damage Daboia would be very proud of!!

Welp, just my little tid bit o the subject. Dont gett bitten guys, copperheads bites hurt more then anything you have ever exoerinced!! (unless youhave let a Crotalus get ahold of you:-)

All the best,
J

[Crotalus75]

Almost everyone that has been bitten by a copperhead tells of experiencing at least some type of tissue damage. When I was bitten by that phaeogaster I had practically NONE! This really makes me wonder how the A.C. subspecies differ in venom composition.

[Dr. Bryan Fry]

Ask me in a couple months after we finish the study ;-)

Cheers
B

[Crotalus75]

Are you doing any tests specifically with A.c. phaeogaster? They have an odd range that is mostly confined to Missouri with some spill over into neighboring states. It would be interesting to see how they compare to the others. Let me know if you need any venom samples. I may be able to get you a few drops.

[Dr. Bryan Fry]

We'll be having a look at the different copperhead subspecies. It should be interesting to see if there is an appreciable difference between them.

Cheers
B

[BWSmith]

Cool, I'll send ya some Broadband as well. 3 are from the same clutch.

[BlkMambaVenom]

Wow.. interesting stories as well as some interesting info on copperhead bites. Its nice to read some posts from people that have experienced it. I must say this entire board is very cool and has some intelligent people on it.