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)
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.
Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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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