Hairpin snake: description, photo. Bite of a hairpin

Surprising, unpredictable and very dangerous representatives of the family of hairpins (Atractaspis), so unlike their fellow reptiles. Small in comparison with many common species, rigid as a wire, hairpins are still considered mysterious, mysterious and poorly studied fauna. The distribution, lifestyle, features of the structure of these species and the consequences of their bites for humans and animals are the subject of this article.

Description of the species

Digging, or earth snakes, inhabiting almost the entire territory of the African continent, are rather tiny: their average length does not exceed half a meter. A rare exception are individual individuals, growing to 70 cm in length. The body is glossy and smooth, the tail is short. The color is dark, almost black or black-violet, slightly glowing to the abdomen. A small flattened head, covered with large platelets, with tiny eyes ends in a dull muzzle.

Features of canine structure

The hairpin differs from other species and completely atypical behavior: meeting with it does not bode well, it will not be possible to "negotiate" - the probability of getting a bite is almost always one hundred percent. The absence of the arch of the neck behind the head makes it impossible to hold it in your hands as far as possible with any other snake, and the unique structure and arrangement of the fangs makes this animal very dangerous.

Snakes have the longest venomous teeth in relation to the size of the head. It is because of these long and thin fangs protruding from the mouth and representing a real danger, they were nicknamed hairpins. They bite at the rapid sideways movement, stopping the slightest attempt to hold it behind her head.

Differences from other species

The hairpin snake is provided with only large hollow fangs. She has no other teeth. The structure of these fangs is unique - they can fold and, if necessary, straighten, and some species of these snakes have the ability to straighten them, even without opening the mouth completely. This gives the hairpin snakes the ability to deliver swift side impacts without even opening the mouth, and they are widely used. Armed with poisonous fangs, a hairpin snake, the photo of which gives an opportunity to see them, has long developed a technique of side attack on a potential victim. This feature is decisive, since hunting in cramped conditions under the ground does not presuppose special maneuvers, and the lateral blow developed by the long and thin canines will always overtake the target. Apparently, the similar structure of the teeth of earth snakes is the result of adaptation to the way of life of burrowing animals, and this feature is distinguished by such a species as a hairpin snake. Where it lives, to those conditions and adapts. All other snakes are equipped with fixed front teeth and do not have in their arsenal the skills of a swift side attack.

Lifestyle

Another surprisingly accurate name for this snake - the southern stylet - speaks of the extreme danger of this animal, which is predominantly nocturnal. It is a predator, always guided by the smell. The snake does not see well. A perfect sense of smell compensates for the lack of vision, conditioned by the way of life of the underground inhabitant. For most of the day, the hairpin snake hides beneath the ground, in loose sandy soil or fallen leaves, hunting for rodents and other animals that live in the upper soil layers. This snake has long and firmly won the fame of the destroyer of nests. She unerringly finds under the ground mink rodents, crawls into it and kills all who are in it - the young and adult individuals. Then he takes turns swallowing them. It appears on the surface rarely and at night, continuing to hunt lizards, amphibians, small birds or snakes. In the family of hairpins there are stenophages - varieties that consume only one particular type of prey. But for the most part these reptiles hunt all kinds of small animals, kill them and swallow them.

Hairpin: where lives

We have already mentioned that the African continent is the homeland of this snake. Consider in more detail the places where the hairpin snake meets. The habitat of the southern stylet is Africa, more precisely, a wide range, including the northwestern parts of the provinces of South Africa KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo, the small kingdom of Swaziland, the southern and central territories of Mozambique, and the African states of Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. The habitat of snakes is very extensive, and if we take into account the different climatic zones, it can be argued that the adaptive ability of hairpins is high enough, because they can be found in flat forests and mountainous areas covered with shrubby vegetation.

Reproduction

With other kinds of snakes, this family is similar in the way of reproduction, which is traditional: the hairpin refers to egg-laying animals. Attracting the male with a peculiar smell, the female mates, and soon in a secluded place lays 3 to 7 eggs. It happens in the summer. We will not go into the issues of reproducing the population of these animals, since this side of their lives is poorly understood. Let's talk about how dangerous the sting of a hairpin for a man is. Consider what consequences it can cause and how it affects health.

Hairpin: poison

It should be noted that the poison of the representatives of the family of hairpin snakes is not considered fatal, but no one doubts its high toxicity for a long time. In history, there are cases when the bites of some species of these reptiles led to a lethal outcome. As a rule, the victims in these cases were children, adolescents or weakened people. But also for an adult person encounter with a hairpin snake ends badly: severe pain in the affected area and the whole body, prolonged treatment, possible loss of the limb or part of it, followed by disability and periodic return of a morbid condition. Since the area of distribution of these reptiles is very large, for many agricultural regions of Africa, close proximity to these animals causes a lot of serious trouble. Scientists explain the powerful toxic toxicity of the poison for two reasons: the relief of the hunter's skills, which makes it possible to kill the prey more efficiently, and an excellent protective mechanism from other, more dangerous animals.

Composition of poison

The venom of these snakes is a complex mixture of active substances with a high content of toxins. A huge number of components of this liquid has not yet been studied or studied very superficially, but it is known that the poison is a rather viscous milky liquid. Studies of the composition of the venom of hairpin snakes are now closely engaged in American scientists and herpentologists.

Is there an antidote

Meeting with an animal such as a hairpin snake, an antidote for which it does not already exist, is dangerous. Today work is under way on the invention of an anti-mutation vaccine, but so far there are no effective drugs. In the world practice for the rescue of victims of a snake bite, special serums are used, the basis of which is snake venom. Unfortunately, the antidote has not yet been invented from the sting of a hairpin snake. The absence of substances that can neutralize the destructive effect of poison is a big problem for the large population of African territories. Today, like a century ago, the risk of attacking this small but very dangerous snake is great. The consequences of the bite will be discussed in more detail later.

Snake's bite and its consequences

The poison of this snake is dangerous for humans, as for all mammals. We have already noted that the snake acts with surprising speed. This is confirmed by eyewitnesses and victims: the snake's bite is so lightning that the person does not immediately understand what happened. Many bitten, confused at this moment, risk getting a few more bites. And only after a moment does a person understand what really happened.

Thin as needles, the fangs enter the tissue deep enough, and to suck out the poison, as is possible with the bites of many other snakes, in this case, most likely, will not succeed. In the world, only a small number of bites of these snakes are recorded, which is explained by the rare treatment of African peasants for medical assistance. Therefore, the process of the poison effect on the human body has not been studied enough.

The sting of the hairpin is accompanied by the injection of poison, which, falling into the subcutaneous tissue, quickly diverges through the bloodstream and lymphatic ducts. The poison spreads through the body, and the tissues under its influence begin to swell almost instantly. This causes unbearable pain.

The effect of poison on the human body

The poison of the hairpin contains several unique toxins that are absent from the venom of other snakes. One is endothelial toxin, which increases the number of contractions of the heart muscle and increases blood pressure. Needless to say, this is extremely dangerous for humans. The pulse of a bitten person is increased to two hundred beats per minute. By increasing the pressure, the pain syndrome also increases.

The combination of toxins present in the poison has a devastating effect on the entire human body: they affect the nervous system, as evidenced by severe pain, and can cause swelling of the blood vessels, triggering a heart attack.

How to react to tissue poison

The poison of the hairpin is cunning and effective. It resembles the poison of a rattlesnake, as it also causes the decomposition process and leads to local withering of the tissue.

First, a tumor forms on the site of the bite, which quickly grows and blushes. Then the redness in a few hours turns into bloody blisters, subsequently merging into one large hematoma. Herpetologists argue that the poison causes irreversible decomposition of tissues. The main medical aid at this moment is qualitative anesthesia, as well as the intake of cardiac and antihistamines, which reduce the swelling of the tissues. When a huge hematoma occurs, they are opened in a sterile environment to reduce pressure. If a person does not resort to medical care, the hematoma is opened by itself, becoming out of a taut-smooth slightly oily. Blood begins to flow from it. The tissues inside the hematoma are hopelessly damaged, there is a smell of rot. All this time, the bitten torment painful pain, accompanied by heat, increased blood pressure, palpitations and heavy sweating.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to prevent the destruction of tissues at the site of the bite, and only maintenance therapy is used to alleviate the painful condition. I must say that necrosis (death) of tissues depends on the individual characteristics of a person: for some it is stronger, and for others - more sparing. The result of a bite in any case is a partial amputation or the necrotic tissue subsequently cicatrize, exposing the bone. Bites of fingers usually lead to their loss, as often not only soft tissues, but also bone are destroyed.

Finally

The results of meetings with such a dangerous animal as a hairpin are really difficult. The bite, the consequences of which are very deplorable, for a long time reminds of itself with recurring relapses - painful manifestations similar to those of malaria. Pictures of healed wounds from bites, presented in the medical literature, confirm the high striking power of the poison.