Viper bite story - Page 2

kevyn · 02-02-04, 11:16 PM

The 'green pitviper' in the photo is a Sulawesi phase Wagler's Temple Pitviper and that definately didn't administer the fatal bite. They are arboreal and there has never been a recorded death from their bite. They are not that toxic. I have one and they are mellower than ball pythons for the most part. I'm not sure about the reaction (bleeding etc...) but I think it was a elapid. Like was said above that sounds abit like a Death Adder to me too. They are very potent. BTW what the hell is a Blue Temple Viper? That picture looks like a Pope's or a White Lipped. Definatly Trimeresurus. I don't think that site is very reliable.

kevyn · 02-02-04, 11:31 PM

I just thought of something. Assuming that it was a Death Adder, the local girl could have got a dry bite. Just a thought, not sure on the likelyhood of this though. I still say Death Adder, they're ground dwellers, and highly toxic.

Bighead · 02-03-04, 02:25 AM

Sounds like that could be it. Are there any in Indonesia? Are they a type of pit viper or completely different? What color are they?

kevyn · 02-03-04, 02:48 AM

Death Adders are not pitvipers or vipers, they are elapids. They look alot like a viper, hence the name 'adder'. Didn't you say the bite occured in Iran Jaya? As was said (formerly Iran Jaya) shares the same island and PNG, and there is a PNG subspecies of the Death Adder. I just saw a pic of a PNG but can't remember where. If you ran a google on the topic you'll find one. They are quite beautiful and I hope to have one on day.

MsTT · 02-03-04, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bighead
I will ask them what happened to the snake that bit her. I know they shipped it back to the states in the coffin with her body

If the girl was a native, why was her body shipped to the States?

As for a dead venomous snake being shipped in a coffin with a body, that rings my "urban legend" alarm bells.

Jeremy · 02-03-04, 08:25 AM

If massive hemorrhaging was the main culprit then you are right Red, doesnt sound like a death adder. Bites usualy invovle NO sever local problems, somtimes wth zero swelling at all!!!! Not to say serious local effects cant happen, its just that they dont seem with this genus.

Hey TT, you have an email coming.

Well interesting thread if nothing else.

Adios,
J

Bighead · 02-05-04, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MsTT
If the girl was a native, why was her body shipped to the States?

As for a dead venomous snake being shipped in a coffin with a body, that rings my "urban legend" alarm bells.

If you go back and read what I wrote, you will see that there were two girls who were bitten. One was a local girl who I know did not die, and I'm unsure of what effect it had on her. It was the girl who was from the states that died and was shipped back so she could have a funeral and be burried near her family.

I thought it was a little wierd that they shipped the snake back with the body too, but I'm sure they didn't just throw it in there and hope that nobody poked themselves on the fangs.

I have no interest in what does or does not ring your bells, but thanks for letting me know.

kevyn · 02-05-04, 02:19 AM

You may want to post this question in the forum section of Dr. Bryan Fry's website www.venomdoc.com . You'll likely get more help.

Bighead · 02-05-04, 03:42 AM

Thanks for the info. I posted the story on the venomdoc website. If any of you want to follow it you can find it there. I will let you know if I get a good response.