Most venemous snakes in Sri Lanka

[mithila]

The following venomous snakes are responsible for a high incidence of snakebite morbidity and mortality in Sri Lanka:

Cobra (Naja naja) - Sinhala -Naya,

Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) - Sinhala - Magamaruwa, Thel Karawala,

Sri Lanka krait (Bungarus ceylonicus) - Sinhala -  Mudu Karawala,

Russells's viper (Daboia russelii) - Sinhala - Thith Polanga,

Saw scale viper (Echis carinatus) - Sinahal - weli Polanga,

Hump nose viper (Hypnale hypnale) - Polon Thelissa or Kunakatuwa,

Green pit viper (Trimeresurus trigonocephalus) - Sinahal - Pala Polanga,

and approximately the 13 species of marine snakes which inhabit the coastal waters and estuaries around the island.

[Gihan]

Very useful. Thanks 

[Asanke]

Thanks. So these are the "highly venomous" snakes in the country...... There is another list of  "less venomous" (Not sure if this the right word) snakes as well. right?

[Ranishka]

Very usefull list, Thanks Mithila.

Ranishka

[mithila]

There are snakes with venom and snakes with no venom. Among the ones with venom, the strength of it varies quite drastically from one specie to another. The list I gave is the ones which are responsible for most number of human deaths. As you said there are other snakes with venom which is not strong enough to kill a grown human begin. Having said that it all depends on how the body react to the venom. Sometimes it is possible for a person to face severe complications when bitten by a even "less venomous" snake but this is quite rare (remember even a bee-sting can kill a person if the body over-react to the chemical injected) .

So if you encounter a snake, the best thing is to stay away and let it go. Most snakes are "harmless".

[Namal]

I'm pretty sure that the green pit viper is "NOT" poisonious

[mithila]

Namal,

From what I have read, all Pit Vipers belonging to the "Trimeresurus" genus are poisonous. The endemic Sri Lankan green pitviper(Trimeresurus trigonocephalus) is no exception. The venom of these vipers are primarily hemotoxic (attack red blood cells). The process by which a hemotoxin causes death is much slower than that of a neurotoxin (for an example Venoum of a Krait) so this can be rated "Less Venonous" than some of the other species.

Again I have read that even though the number of reported fatalities is very low in Sri Lanka (may be nill) the green pit vipor's Venom is quite potent and occasionally can prove fatal. Therefore immediate treatment and medical assistance is recommended.

[HoneyBee]

Thank you for the useful info... specially abouth the green pit viper. I did't know it has that amount of potential. So will be extra careful next time wen we see....

Actually it was not in himesh (kurullas) list of poisonous snakes either, for the best of my knowledge. Anyway interesting...

[Ranishka]

I also had the same idea that green pit viper is non venomous.
But I think Mithila is correct, read this research paper by some Thailand experts. They discuss about the behavior of green pit viper venom.

Ranishka

[mithila]

Ranishka,

The Green Pit Viper found in Sri Lanka is endemic but I think it is closely related to the ones found in Thailand which is covered in this survey.

Mithila

 

[Ranishka]

Yes, you are right Mithila. I posted that paper because they are close relatives.

Ranishka

[Namal]

I have seen a guy getting bitterned by a green pit viper and he had no ill effect except for a slight swelling. Based on this I feareless handle them.  Maybe I was just lucky and better keep my distance

[Namal]

Guys,

I think I'm still right. I checked with some experts and the told me its moderately venomous, can thus cause harm but cann't kill. Will check up on Anslem book tonight, and clarrify
cheers

[mithila]

Namal,

I think you are right. I checked Dr Anslem's book and her describes the green pit viper as venomous but says that no human fatalities have been reported even though there had been reported incidents of bites. I thinks till its better to be very careful in handling all those pit vipers, specially when we get really close to them for that "Perfect Closeup" 

[Senaka G]

There are fatalities caused by the sea snakes?? But i thought their fangs are too deep inside and normal strike would not go in to the fangs:S

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