Snake Identification & Symptoms

Click on the map for an enlarged view and details on Snake Distribution in Kenya.
The map of Kenya is split into 5 coloured snake distribution zones. Coloured boxes denoted by the snake species below indicates the snake is found in that zone.

BLACK MAMBA Dendroaspis polylepis

Coastal colour is dark to pale grey above with nearly white stomach. Inland colour can be brownish to curry coloured, paler underneath, dark spots towards tail. Long head, dark eye, 'smiling' mouth clearly visible, can grow to over 3 metres. Usually a daytime snake but may hunt on moonlit nights. Generally lives in low bush if bush is thick. Otherwise may be found in trees in savannah areas or among rocks. May move on ground with head raised high. Victims sometimes describe that the snake "bites and then rears head back and away".

Symptoms - Tingling skin, clammy cold sweat, ache in joints, especially jaws, pupils dilate, some swelling, patient becomes restless, ptosis etc. as Progressive Weakness Syndrome develops. Onset of symptoms can be very rapid.

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

GREEN MAMBA Dendroaspis angusticeps
(SAVP Polyvalent only)
Bright green, no markings on body, long head, small dark eyes, 'smiling' mouth, can grow to 2.5 metres. Daytime snake, lives in trees. Young ones may hunt in grass, bites then may be on leg (often when releasing tethered goats in late afternoon). Often comes to rest in house ceilings. Usually one quick bite.

Symptoms - Tingling skin, temporary faintness, clammy cold sweat. Skin becomes tender, joints ache, some swelling, nausea, ptosis etc., as Progressive Weakness Syndrome develops.

Polyvalent antivenom (SAVP only) treatment

JAMESON'S MAMBA Dendroaspis jamesoni
Only in Kakamega in Kenya, a forest snake of central Africa. Green head and first part of body, getting darker to a black tail, may grow to 2.5 or 3 metres. A daytime snake, lives in trees but may come to the ground. May stand high so bite may be located above knee level.

Symptoms - Tingling skin, temporary faintness, clammy cold sweat. Skin becomes tender and Progressive Weakness Syndrome develops. Onset can be rapid.

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

PUFF ADDER Bitis arietans
Fat snake, black and grey markings on pale or yellow background, skin rough. Large head on thin neck, can grow over 1.5 metres. May make a loud hissing noise when disturbed. Generally nocturnal but a danger to people clearing land and may hide near or in houses or animal bomas, or lie on warm road edges in early evening. Bites usually on foot or lower leg (hands only if reaching to the ground). The victim will definately feel the bite happen as fangs are large and strike is powerful. Look for one or two puncture wounds which will show leaking blood and serum even before swelling.

Symptoms - Pupil reaction tends to slow down and patients tend to be quiet even though in pain. Progressive Swelling develops.

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

GABOON VIPER Bitis gabonica
Very fat forest snake, lives on the ground well hidden in leaf litter, may grow to over 2 metres. Large pale head, thin neck and beautfully coloured pattern on body. Generally well known by people living where they occur. Fangs huge so wound would be easily visible in foot or lower leg. Most reluctant to bite.

Symptoms - Venom so complex that there my be a combination of symptoms

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

RHINO VIPER Bitis nasicornis
A forest snake. Head has a distinct black arrow-shaped marking and two 'horns' on the nose. Neck very thin, body very stout and beautifully marked with several colours on a generally dark green background. May grow to be a metre. Mostly on ground but may climb in bushes. Warning hiss sharp and explosive. Skin very rough. Most reluctant to bite and not much is known about symptoms.

Symptoms - one would expect Painful Progressive Swelling

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

SAW-SCALED or CARPET VIPER Echis carinatus
(Aventis Polyvalent)
A small viper of the drier (northern) regions. Dark brown markings on paler background, eyes prominent, head large, neck slender and rough skin. Where they occur they tend to be numerous and will be well known by the people. A quick-tempered snake which makes a loud hissing noise by moving so that its scales rub against each other, they reach out a long way to bite. Nocturnal snakes which hide under stones or logs during the day - a hazard to firewood gatherers so bites during the day probably on hands or feet. At night may bite someone sleeping on the ground, so possibly bites on the body. Generally not fatal in Kenya.

Symptoms - The bite will cause pain, some swelling. Test blood clotting time before considering antivenom. Look for possible renal problems later.

Polyvalent antivenom (Aventis) treatment

BLACK-NECKED SPITTING COBRA Naja nigricollis &
LARGE BROWN SPITTING COBRA Naja ashei
Secretive snakes that often live near humans. If so, they generally hunt at night and may enter house or animal pens. Brown body, usually with dark bands on throat, head blunt, neck same width as head. The famous cobra "hood" is only spread when the snake is displaying, not when moving around. Body quite thick. Can grow to 2.5 metres. Young ones may climb trees but generally on the ground, live in holes, termite mounds etc. Cobras try to hold and chew when biting so victim may show untidy punctures or tearing.

Symptons - Swelling can be massive with lots of tissue damage - will need much sophisticated aftercare. Children may appear drowsy.

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

RED SPITTING COBRA Naja pallida
A small, active cobra (1.5 metres) living at low altitude (not coastal). Colour can vary from deep red, through honey to pale brown, usually with a dark "teardrop" marking under each eye and dark band on throat. When it stands the stomach is noticeably shiny, the "hood" not wide. Is more inclined to spit than bite. Has a dangerous tendency to join humans sleeping on the ground! Mostly nocturnal, sleeps in holes, under piles of branches etc.

Symptoms - In some northern areas is is not considered to be very deadly but can cause severe swelling and tissue damage as in Naja nigricollis. Antivenom does not specify this snake but the nigricollis antivenom appears to be effective.

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

EGYPTIAN COBRA Naja haje
Thick-bodied cobra, brown to greyish above with paler stomach which is blotched with darker spots, tail quite long. A snake of savannah or light woodland at medium altitude, may grow to over 2 metres. Active by day and night, mostly on the ground. Lives in holes or termite mounds, rocky areas. Makes sharp, explosive hiss when threatened, stands and spreads wide "hood".

Symptons - Early sympton of envenomation may be burning pain, some swelling and then Progressive Weakness Syndrome develops.

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

FOREST or BLACK & WHITE COBRA Naja melanoleuca
A large , shiny cobra, may grow to over 2.5 metres. Generally black above with pale stomach blotched or freckled. Eyes large and dark, lips yellow or ivory colour with distinct black vertical markings and several clear black bands across the throat. Can stand very tall when threatened, the "hood" is long and narrow. Found in forest and woodlands and sometimes savannah but not at high altitude. A good swimmer which may eat fish. Can be encountered on the ground but in some areas (coastal forests) lives frequently in high tree holes. A fast-moving snake which may strike with mouth closed as a warning.

Symptoms - Bites not frequent, may be high on body. Progressive Weakness Syndrome develops.

Polyvalent antivenom treatment

BOOMSLANG Dispholidus typus
A daytime snake living in trees and bushes, can be all green, all brown of (from forest areas) green with black between scales. Head domed with very large eye, can grow to over 1.5 metres in some areas. When threatened will inflate neck like a balloon. Very alert snake that escapes quickly, usual victims are snake handlers but a danger to children raiding bird nests as these snakes eat birds and may sleep in nests. Bite may appear as a scratch rather than neat punctures - test for blood clotting.

Symptoms - Bleeding Syndrome develops but often not for some hours.

Monovalent Antivenom (SAVP) treatment

TWIG SNAKE Thelotornis sp.
Daytime snake, long, very thin, lives in trees and bushes. Body colour is grey with darker markings, lips and chin white with black speckles, top of long sharp head usually green, occasionally reddish brown. This colouring makes it almost impossible to see in the bush, where it can remain motionless to avoid detection. When alarmed it can inflate throat, displaying dark "eye" marking on pale blue background. Can be found around birds so a danger to children raiding nests but is most reluctant to bite. Test for blood clotting.

Symptoms - Bleeding Syndrome can develop.

DO NOT GIVE ANTIVENOM

MOLE VIPER Atractaspis sp.
A nocturnal snake but may be unearthed during farm work and can be driven to the surface by heavy rain. A short, dark snake with thick neck and small head so tail and head end can be confused. Eye very tiny. Lives mainly underground, bites almost always on foot or lowest part of leg but may come into earth-floored houses and can bite people sleeping on the ground. Bites with one fang at a time but might give several rapid bites. Bite marks small and hard to see.

Symptoms - Swelling usually limited to first major joint or limb or less but if a large specimen (less than 1 metre) bites a child, swelling may be more extensive and will require fluid replacement. Very painful, generally not much residual damage.

DO NOT GIVE ANTIVENOM

NIGHT ADDERS Causus spp.
Small snakes , less than 1 metre, small head, thick neck, quite stout. Dark pattern on paler background or an unmarked velvety green. May be found under logs by firewood collectors who may be bitten on hand, otherwise bites to the foot or ankle.

Symptoms - Some swelling, very painful, no residual damage.

DO NOT GIVE ANTIVENOM

OTHER SMALL VIPERS
There are many types of small viper in different areas of the country. Typically vipers are a bit stout, head large with thin neck, rough scales and a variety of body markings. Many are dark marks on a paler brownish background, others may be green with black or yellow markings. Mostly on the ground or in low bushes.

Symptoms - Bites can be painful, with swelling and a little tissue damage but not lethal. Treat symptoms.

DO NOT GIVE ANTIVENOM