Someone asked earlier in the thread what would happen if MacAdder where to get bitten by a Capie ... well the chance of a dry bite would be small , if these snakes bit they inject venom. They will not hesitate to strike several times in fast succesion if they feel threatened. The venom is like any cobra's venom, nurotoxic, but a tad more potent than any of the other african cobras.
A 'full' bite will need immediate medical attention. If there is a companion in the field he should apply a crepe bandage on the bittne limb and prepare the victem for transportation to the hospital or wait for an ambulance (but not in SA .. ;-) takes way too long) ... the victem needs to keep as still as possible to avoid increasing the circulation rate, ..... and then bank account had better be well stocked. The victem will initially need 10 to 30 vials of Polyvenant antivenom.
Initial symtomps will appear very rapidly, drowsiness, in and out of conciousness, dilated pupils, paralasys, incontinence, .. these signs can develop within 15 minutes of envonomation and Cape Cobra bites with fatalities within 25-45 minutes have been recorded.
It's been many years since I caught a Capie, ... last time was back in 85 or 86 and I get the shivers if I think back to how happy-go-lucky we were back then .... as though we'd never get bitten..... but hell I'd love to get up close to a Capie again armed with my Canon.
Excuse the spelling please people.
Linear Mode
