Last year, a man from North Carolina survived an attack from a gaboon viper he kept in his home. The medical team treating him had never seen anyone else survive such a venomous snake bite. He needed 44 doses of anti-venom to recover, the most they had ever used. He lost two fingers but had no other negative effects.
Gaboon vipers are highly venomous but rarely bite people. They have the longest fangs of any venomous snake, at 2 inches (5 centimeters), and can inject a large amount of venom. These snakes, native to Africa, can grow over 6 feet (1.8 meters) and weigh over 45 pounds (20 kilograms).
In Virginia, another man was bitten by his pet gaboon viper. Emergency anti-venom had to be rushed from local aquariums and zoos. Exotic pets require special permits and pose risks due to the difficulty of obtaining treatment in emergencies.
Experts advise against using old wives’ tales for snake bites, such as sucking out the venom or using a tourniquet. Proper medical treatment is crucial for survival and recovery from venomous snake bites.
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