Which River Has More Venomous Snakes: Mississippi River vs. Nile River

Written by Chanel Coetzee
Updated: June 21, 2023
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While these two rivers are miles apart, they both play host to many species of snakes, some of them venomous. But which has the most venomous snakes between the Nile and Mississippi rivers? Well, the winner is clear. The Nile has at least nine venomous snakes, while the mighty Mississippi is home to six venomous snakes. Since Africa is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world, it’s no surprise that the Nile came out on top. Therefore, continue reading to find out which venomous snakes occur in each of these incredible rivers.

Venomous Snakes in the Nile River

Out of the 30-plus species of snake that call the Nile River home, at least nine are venomous. So, if you ever find yourself on the longest river in the world, keep your eyes peeled for these toxic serpents.

Saharan Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes)

Cerastes cerastes commonly known as the Saharan Horned Viper or the Desert Horned Viper, is a venomous species of viper native to the deserts of northern Africa.

The horned viper’s venom contains 13 toxins, but its composition changes depending on location.

©Lauren Suryanata/Shutterstock.com

While the horned viper’s venom is toxic and can cause severe symptoms, the snake’s bite is not generally fatal. Horned vipers have hinged hollow fangs that emerge into a biting position when they open their mouths. This allows them to deliver their venom effectively. Interestingly, their venom contains 13 toxins, but its composition changes depending on location. Unfortunately, the most potent blend causes hemorrhagic effects. Symptoms include:

  • Acute pain
  • Massive local swelling
  • Excessive bleeding or clotting
  • Necrosis
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sweating
  • Exhaustion
  • Vomiting
  • Kidney failure
  • Hematuria
  • Heart irregularities

Sahara Sand Viper (Cerastes vipera)

The Sahara sand viper’s venom is a mix of hemotoxins; when they bite you, they can deliver a large amount of venom. Therefore, if you ever get bitten by one of these vipers, look out for the following signs:

  • Severe pain
  • Swelling
  • Skin discoloration
  • Tissue destruction

As the venom gets absorbed by the body, it results in widespread symptoms, including abdominal pain, headaches, clotting defects, seizures, shock, and dizziness.

Saharan sand viper in sand

The color of the sand viper helps it to blend in with its habitat, where it hunts for prey.

©reptiles4all/Shutterstock.com

Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)

Black mamba

Black mamba’s venom attacks the nervous system and the heart.

©131346563/Shutterstock.com

The black mamba has a highly potent neurotoxic venom. Therefore, when these dangerous snakes bite, they can release a maximum amount of 400mg of venom. However, the average is probably closer to 280mg. Furthermore, just 15 to 20mg of their venom can be fatal to humans. But, despite these alarming numbers, their bites rarely result in fatalities thanks to the antivenom. Black mamba’s venom attacks the nervous system and the heart. Initial symptoms include:

  • Pain
  • Light burning sensation
  • Swelling
  • Loss of control of the jaw and tongue
  • Slurred speech
  • Drowsiness
  • Blurred or tunnel vision
  • Paralysis
  • Mental confusion

Egyptian Cobra (Naja haje)

Closeup of egyptian cobra

The primary treatment for an Egyptian cobra bite is a suitable antivenom.

©OPIS Zagreb/Shutterstock.com

The Egyptian cobra is a venomous snake that occurs in areas around the Nile River that have predominantly neurotoxic venom, which can be fatal if left untreated. Unfortunately, symptoms include:

  • Severe local pain
  • Swelling
  • Blistering at the site
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dizziness
  • Collapse
  • Flaccid paralysis
  • Tissue necrosis
  • Respiratory distress

The primary treatment for an Egyptian cobra bite is a suitable antivenom.

Puff Adder (Bitis arietans)

puff adder with tongue out

The puff adder is responsible for the most snake bite-related deaths on the African continent.

©iStock.com/S_Lew

The puff adder is a feared venomous African snake, notorious for its toxic venom that can result in fatalities if not treated within 24 to 26 hours. In fact, this adder is responsible for the most snake bite-related deaths on the African continent. Unfortunately, symptoms of their bite include:

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Blistering
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Cardiovascular complications
  • Blood-related issues
  • Kidney and urinary system failure

Red Spitting Cobra (Naja pallida)

A red spitting cobra slithering across a rock

Red spitting cobras’ color can vary depending on their location.

©iStock.com/Tony_Bendele

The red spitting cobra has a mixture of cytotoxic and neurotoxic venom and is one of the Nile’s most dangerous snakes. Sadly, symptoms of their bite include:

  • Slight pain at the site
  • Numb lips, tongue, and fingers
  • While human fatalities are rare, victims usually become disfigured

Natives really fear these snakes because it is common for them to come into people’s homes at night and bite them for no reason.

Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps

Juvenile green mamba striking a pose. Juveniles are blue-green, becoming bright green when they are around 75 centimeters (2 ft 6 in) long.

Green mambas’ have neurotoxic venom containing a mix of calcicludine, dendrotoxins, fasciculins, and cardiotoxins.

©NickEvansKZN/Shutterstock.com

The green mamba is one of Africa’s most venomous snakes, and in cases of severe envenomation, death has occurred in less than 30 minutes. Additionally, they have neurotoxic venom containing a mix of calcicludine, dendrotoxins, fasciculins, and cardiotoxins. However, dendrotoxins occur in all mamba species, and it is the quickest-acting snake venom known. Therefore, their fatality rate is very high.

Black Desert Cobra (Walterinnesia aegyptia)

The Western black desert cobra is a venomous snake whose bite can result in fatalities if left untreated. Unfortunately, their venom contains extremely potent neurotoxins, and symptoms include:

  • Low blood pressure
  • Flaccid paralysis
  • Severe tissue necrosis
  • Respiratory distress
  • Local pain
  • Swelling
  • Blistering
  • Headaches
  • Sweating
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Seizures
  • Dizziness

Northeast African Carpet Viper (Echis pyramidum)

The Northeast African carpet viper has cytotoxic venom and is one of the most dangerous snakes found by the Nile River. But, while their bites are rarely fatal, thanks to antivenom, it can cause terrible symptoms, including:

  • Severe pain
  • Swelling
  • Blistering
  • Severe tissue damage
  • Headache
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting
  • Systemic hemorrhage
  • Incoagulable blood
  • Necrosis
egyptian carpet viper

The northeast African carpet viper

©Vladislav T. Jirousek/Shutterstock.com

Venomous Snakes in the Mississippi River

Around 50 species of snakes live around the Mississippi River, of which around six are venomous snakes. So, if you ever find yourself on the banks of this mighty river, keep an eye out for these feared serpents.

Coral Snake (Micrurus fulvius)

An Eastern Coral Snake on decaying vegetation

Coral snake bites are uncommon; this venomous snake has neurotoxic venom, which can cause respiratory failure if left untreated.

©Jay Ondreicka/Shutterstock.com

While coral snake bites are uncommon, this dangerous snake has neurotoxic venom, which can cause respiratory failure if left untreated. Therefore, all bites from this serpent must be evaluated at a hospital and monitored for at least 24 hours because symptoms are often delayed. Furthermore, other symptoms include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Slurred speech
  • Paresthesias
  • Double vision
  • Drooping eye
  • Muscle twitching
  • Paralysis
  • Weakness

Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

Timber rattlesnake on rock.

The timber

rattlesnake

is one of the most dangerous and largest snakes in North America.

©iStock.com/JasonOndreicka

While the timber rattlesnake tends to avoid humans, bites from these venomous snakes are common. Sadly, if left untreated, their bites can result in death, as their venom is a mixture of neurotoxins and hemotoxins. As a result, these rattlesnakes are one of the most dangerous and largest snakes in North America. Unfortunately, symptoms from their venom include:

  • Pain
  • Blistering
  • Swelling
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Impaired blood coagulation and breakdown of red blood cells
  • Severe systemic symptoms, including multiple organ damage and shock

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

Eastern Dimondback Rattlesnake Full View

Image:

Brittany

Mason, Shutterstock

©Brittany Mason/Shutterstock.com

The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is a dangerous snake found along the Mississippi River, known for its venomous bite that is fatal to humans. Furthermore, these rattlesnakes have hemotoxic venom, which attacks red blood cells, causing tissue damage. Luckily, their bites are rare, but should they bite someone, there is an antivenom available.

Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarus)

Close up view of red phase Carolina Pigmy or Pygmy rattlesnake - Sistrurus miliarius miliarus - front view of head and face showing heat sensing pits on either side.  Georgia North Carolina border.

The pigmy rattlesnake’s bite has caused death in a few rare cases.

©Chase D’animulls/Shutterstock.com

While the pigmy rattlesnake is venomous, their venom has no neurotoxins in its composition. However, it can cause tissue and hemorrhagic damage. As a result, their bite can cause bruising, internal bleeding, and breakdown of blood cells. Luckily, due to their small size, they may not be able to produce enough venom to cause fatalities in humans. But, there were a few rare cases that resulted in death.

Additionally, their bite is excruciating, and the pain can stick around for a few days after the attack. However, if this snake bites a child, the only solution is to immediately rush them to the hospital because they are more susceptible to the toxin, often resulting in necrosis and loss of digits.

Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Western cottonmouth snake isolated

The cottonmouth’s venom primarily comprises hemotoxins, which attack the blood cells, preventing clotting or coagulating.

©Ryan M. Bolton/Shutterstock.com

The cottonmouth snake has a very dangerous bite. Therefore, if this snake bites a human, they need to rush to the nearest hospital for emergency care. Their venom primarily comprises hemotoxins, which attack the blood cells, preventing clotting or coagulating. While deaths are rare, victims are susceptible to scarring or, in a worst-case scenario, amputation. Although these snakes are not as venomous as rattlesnakes and vipers, they are more dangerous than their cousins, the copperhead snake.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Stu Porter/Shutterstock.com

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About the Author

Chanel Coetzee is a writer at A-Z Animals, primarily focusing on big cats, dogs, and travel. Chanel has been writing and researching about animals for over 10 years. She has also worked closely with big cats like lions, cheetahs, leopards, and tigers at a rescue and rehabilitation center in South Africa since 2009. As a resident of Cape Town, South Africa, Chanel enjoys beach walks with her Stafford bull terrier and traveling off the beaten path.

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