Introducing little Misty!

[Will0W783]

They are my favorite too, Bimtha. I honestly can't get enough of the tree vipers, and my Shelby is by far one of the most interesting, albeit dangerous, snakes I have ever kept. Naja have such personality, don't they?

[hellosugaree]

Such a beautiful a snake! Super cute face. I can see how you couldn't avoid bringing her home. Also a really cute name and seems fitting. How dangerous a bite?

[Will0W783]

Hellosugaree,

It is hard to say for sure how "dangerous" a given specie's bite will be. There are many factors to consider: level of hemotoxicity (bleeding/hemorrhage risk), cytotoxicity (tissue damage/necrosis), and neurotoxicity (paralysis), and cardiotoxicity (heart damage/failure).

Bothriechis schlegelii, eyelash vipers, are generally considered a "medium" potency viper. They can and often do cause local necrosis, blistering, tissue damage, as well as systemic aches, pains, fever, vomiting, etc. The majority of bites, if treated with antivenin promptly, will not cause lasting disfigurement or impairment; however, that cannot be a guarantee. There are people who have been bitten and not even gone to the hospital, no antivenin, and recovered fully....but on the flip side, there are people who have died.

All vipers have primarily hemotoxic/cytotoxic venom. So the major concern is tissue damage, hemorrhaging and necrosis. Eyelash vipers are not cardiotoxic, except that excessive swelling and blistering can cause fluid balance changes and shock. Necrosis can lead to secondary infections that can be quite devastating.

Basically, don't be bitten. Their venom is neutralized by polyvalent crotalid antivenin (CroFab and the like), so most North American hospitals will have it or can get it quickly.