Mangrove Pit Viper

Louis Jacobsz · 06-01-13, 04:24 AM

Interestingly the LD50 value does not mean much when it comes to the effect of the venom on humans. It is usually determined by using rats/mice so the value is in essence more applicable for those species. If the LD50's were calculated by using other animals or even humans

as test subjects the values would be of more use to us.

But that said it does give an indication of the potency of the venom. What it does not indicate/compensate for is the amount of venom injected by an individual snake that would make a massive difference in the outcome of a bite.

All said, I've seen two mangrove viper bites here in S.A (note we have no anti-venom readily available for exotic species) and both caused heavy swelling, extreme pain, little bleeding from the bite site and sore kidneys. In both cases the victims fully recovered without any lasting effects.

SSSSnakes · 06-01-13, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Louis Jacobsz

Interestingly the LD50 value does not mean much when it comes to the effect of the venom on humans. It is usually determined by using rats/mice so the value is in essence more applicable for those species. If the LD50's were calculated by using other animals or even humans

as test subjects the values would be of more use to us.

But that said it does give an indication of the potency of the venom. What it does not indicate/compensate for is the amount of venom injected by an individual snake that would make a massive difference in the outcome of a bite.

All said, I've seen two mangrove viper bites here in S.A (note we have no anti-venom readily available for exotic species) and both caused heavy swelling, extreme pain, little bleeding from the bite site and sore kidneys. In both cases the victims fully recovered without any lasting effects.

Excellent post. Very true, LD50 gives us an idea of how potent the venom is. It does not however tell us what effects it will have if bitten and the amount of venom that is injected in each bite. Each person reacts differently to venom and the amounts injected will be different in each case.