VENOMOUS SNAKES OF AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN

COBRAS AND KRAITS HABITATS SNAKE DISTRIBUTION SNAKE IDENTIFICATION

Cobras are at home in many types of terrain. Flat country
DESCRIPTION AND BIOLOGY with high grass and scattered groves of trees is an optimum VIPERS/PIT VIPERS COBRAS/KRAITS/
Cobras are recognized by the hoods that they flare when angry or habitat for Indian cobras. Rice fields and other sorts of SEA SNAKES
disturbed; the hoods are created by the extension of the ribs behind the agricultural land may support many Indian cobras, and Long, hinged fangs that
cobras’ heads. The Indian cobra has a wide black band on the underside INDIAN COBRA
they are often common around villages and cities. Here �����
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tuck into roof of mouth Short fangs fixed in erect
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of the neck, and a hood marking design which shows half-rings on either Naja naja they may be found in crumbling walls, old buildings, and �����
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when not in use. position in front of mouth.
side of the hood; the Oxus cobra lacks this distinctive hood marking. gardens. Oxus cobras occur in the stony, rocky, shrub-
Cobras in the Afghanistan/Pakistan region are more active during the covered foothills along the northern frontier of Pakistan ����
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early evening and early morning. Cobras can be very aggressive when across Afghanistan and into eastern Iran and southern pit Vertically elliptical eye
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they are protecting their nest and eggs. Oxus and Indian cobras do not parts of Russian Asia. In some areas, they are found at pupils; pit vipers with Round eye pupils.
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“spit” venom but when biting they hold on and chew savagely. Common elevations above 3,000 meters. Oxus cobras are commonly heat sensing organ
kraits are smooth, glossy bluish-black snakes with narrow white cross encountered in empty buildings and overgrown fields, between eye and nostril.
bands and the rounded head slightly distinct from the neck. The body OXUS COBRA
especially in areas with abundant rodent populations.
color varies from a dark steely blue-black in a specimen which has freshly Naja naja oxiana Common kraits are found in a variety of habitats at low and ������ � ������ �

shed its skin to a pale faded bluish gray in one just about to shed. moderate elevations, most commonly in open country, cultivated areas, and scrub jungles up to 1,700 meters elevation. Broad triangular head Elongated head about the
Common kraits usually prowl on hot, humid nights and are quite agile COMMON KRAIT They are often found near human habitations and frequently enter poorly constructed or dilapidated buildings. Kraits and ������ ���������� with narrow neck and same width as the body.
in their movements. They have a tendency to seek shelter in sleeping Bungarus caeruleus sindanus cobras generally avoid very rocky or sandy terrain and desert areas. wide body.
bags, boots, and tents. Specimens disturbed during day rarely bite, but
at night they are extremely dangerous and aggressive. This snake is of
special concern to soldiers. It’s venom is about 15 times more deadly
than the Indian cobra. ����� �����

SNAKEBITE PREVENTION
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Venomous snakes are found throughout the ground, if possible. Know that thick
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Afghanistan and Pakistan. Assume that any leather boots offer the best foot protection.
snake you encounter is venomous: Leave it Avoid walking alone, especially during the
PIT VIPERS HALY’S PIT VIPER HABITATS �� � � � �� � �� � � � �� �
alone and unmolested! period from dusk to complete daylight. Keep
Agkistrodon halys Pit vipers live in a variety of habitats from desert shrub to clear paths.
DESCRIPTION AND BIOLOGY to short grass or wooded steppes, coniferous forests, As tactical situations permit, avoid high
Haly’s and Himalayan pit vipers are small snakes, with a total length around 90-100 and mountainous areas at elevations of 1,500 to 5,000 risk habits. Locate bivuacs away from piles Be alert in areas where snakes may be
cm long. The color of the skin varies from gray, brown to red, dark green or even meters. Favored habitats include dry, rocky areas, and of brush, rocks or other debris. Avoid hiding or sunning. Don’t reach or place
black. The pit vipers are generally considered to be the most advanced family they are often abundant around rocky bluffs that serve as ������������� ���������� swimming in coastal areas where sea parts of body into uninspected places,
of snakes since they possess a very sophisticated venom delivery system. Large hibernating dens. Often seen close to hiding places where snakes abound. especially in high grass or among rocks.
tubular fangs are placed in the front of the mouth and they are hinged, allowing they retreat when disturbed. Pit vipers take refuge under Keep hands off of rock ledges. Never sit on
them to be folded back when not in use. Their heads are covered with numerous HIMALAYAN PIT VIPER fallen timber, crevices in or under rocks, beneath boulders, Remediate conditions which attract snakes. or step over large rocks or logs without first
small scales and their eyes have vertically elliptical pupils. Pit vipers have a pair of Gloydius himalayanus ledges, stones, and fallen leaves. Remove woodpiles, rock piles, construction checking to see what is on the other side.
heat sensing pits located between each eye and nostril. Their venom is primarily debris, dumps, dense undergrowth and
hemotoxic, causing pain, blistering, hemorrhaging, and digestion of tissue around SPECIES DISTRIBUTION LIST similar shelter for snakes. Store supplies In the unit compound, keep doors, windows
the bite wound. These snakes are mainly nocturnal, resting during the day beneath Species Common Name Afghanistan Pakistan elevated off the ground. Practice good and vents closed whenever possible. Block
stones or shrubs, and during warmer months, emerging only after sunset. Reports sanitation. Control rodents. holes in foundations, crawl spaces, ceilings
vary as to aggressiveness. Pit vipers usually will not strike unless continuously COBRAS AND KRAITS and roofs.
disturbed or hurt, but have been known to bite with only minor provocation. Pit Practice “snake smart” behavior. Shake out
vipers are active from the end of March until October. Bungarus caeruleus sindanus Common Krait X bedding and clothes before use. Sleep off
Naja naja Indian Cobra X X
Naja naja oxiana Oxus Cobra X X

VIPERS PERSIAN HORNED VIPER LEVANTINE VIPER

to escape when encountered, but they have been reported SNAKE VENOMS
Pseudocerastes persicus Vipera lebetina to chase victims aggressively.
DESCRIPTION AND BIOLOGY
PIT VIPERS AND THEIR EFFECTS
Vipers typically have broad, triangular heads. Asian sand vipers are active during twilight and at night. Agkistrodon halys Haly’s Pit Viper X X The venom of the snakes is a complex mixture of generally two
Most species are also heavy-bodied with These snakes resort to a side winding movement when types of proteins, each distinguishable by its activity.
hurried or alarmed. When agitated, sand vipers hiss loudly, Gloydius himalayanus Himalayan Pit Viper X
relatively short, slender tails. Most vipers have
numerous and heavily keeled body scales. raise their head and a loop of their body well above ground, One category of venom is the neurotoxins. These venoms affect
Their long fangs permit deep penetration and strike with great vigor. Persian horned vipers have the nervous system, causing destruction or paralysis of the nerves
and envenomation of prey. Their venom is SAW-SCALED VIPER
a typical bulky viper-like body, with a very broad head VIPERS that regulate heartbeat and respiration. Victims may die from
primarily hemotoxic, some with a neurotoxic Echis carinatus with short horns above the eyes. Generally nocturnal, asphyxiation or heart failure.
they are sluggish, placid, and less likely to bite during Daboia russelii Russell’s Viper X
component, and cause pain, blistering,
hemorrhaging, and digestion of tissue around day, but dangerously active and aggressive at night. Echis carinatus Saw-Scaled Viper X X The other major group is the hemotoxic venoms with proteins
the bite wound. Persian horned vipers have a characteristic side winding that attack blood cells and also destroy both muscular and
locomotion method. They frequently hide in rodent tunnels Echis c. multisquamatus Saw-Scaled Viper X
ASIAN SAND VIPER
vascular tissue. Hemotoxic venoms allow blood to escape
Russell’s vipers are one of the most and underneath rocks. The Levantine viper has a generally Echis carinatus sochureki Saw-Scaled Viper X X into the surrounding tissue, causing severe swelling, pain and
Eristocophis macmahonii
dangerous snakes of the Afghanistan/ dusty appearance, and is light gray in color with small, discoloration at the site of the snakebite. Victims may die from
rectangular brown, reddish, or dark gray blotches. These Eristocophis macmahonii Asian Sand Viper X X
Pakistan region. These snakes are short- SAW-SCALED VIPER shock.
tempered and very aggressive. When Echis carinatus sochureki snakes are primarily nocturnal, but are quite alert and Pseudocerastes persicus Persian Horned Viper X
disturbed, they strike with great force and will strike quickly during the day. Their temperaments are All snake venom has both neurotoxins and hemotoxins. The venom
speed. Russell’s vipers are medium-sized to unpredictable, and they may strike quickly and savagely at Vipera lebetina Levantine Viper X X
of vipers and pit vipers is primarily hemotoxic with only a small
large snakes with strongly keeled scales, any time. neurotoxic component and causes pain, blistering, hemorrhaging
a distinctive bright chain pattern, and a and digestion of tissue around the bite wound. The venom of
RUSSELL’S VIPER
large triangular head. They are predominately Daboia russelii HABITATS SEA SNAKES cobras, kraits and sea snakes contains a higher percentage of
nocturnal but active by day during cool Russell’s vipers occur throughout eastern Pakistan, living in rice paddy fields and other agricultural land, as well as open, neurotoxins. Their venom produces much less obvious symptoms
Astrotia stokesii Stoke’s Sea Snake X
weather. rocky, bushy, or grassy terrain up to elevations of 3,000 meters. Saw-scaled vipers are very abundant and inhabit most of but can affect nerves far removed from the site of the bite.
the desert and dry areas of Afghanistan and Pakistan. They can live far from any water source and are found in barren, Enhydrina schistose Beaked Sea Snake X
Saw-scaled vipers are rough-scaled snakes with large eyes, a head wider than the neck and a stocky body. Their scales rocky, and sandy deserts, and dry scrub forests, from the sea level to an elevation of about 2,000 meters. They may enter Antivenin is available which can neutralize the effects of snake
Hydrophis caerulescens Dwarf Sea Snake X
are heavily keeled. The body is brown, grayish or sandy with a darker zigzag pattern on the back and a distinct cross human dwellings in search of prey. Asian sand vipers are found almost exclusively on sand dunes or desert regions at venom.
or lance mark on the head. Most species are generally nocturnal during hot dry weather; during the day they are found elevations below 1,200 meters. Persian horned vipers inhabit flat, sandy regions and rocky areas up to elevations of 2,000 Hydrophis cyanocinctus Annulated Sea Snake X
under rocks, in mounds of dead plant stalks, or in bushes up to height of 2 meters or more. Saw-scaled vipers assume a meters. Levantine vipers live in a wide variety of habitats from marshes and plains at sea level to mountainous areas at
defensive figure eight coil when encountered, rubbing body scales together to produce a distinctive rasping sound. These Hydrophis lapemoides Arabian Gulf Sea Snake X Fang wound and effects of hemotoxic venom from viper bites.
elevations up to 2,000 meters and are often encountered near farms and grazing areas. They also inhabit semi-desert areas
snakes are involved in many snakebite incidents and numerous fatalities almost everywhere throughout their range, and and rocky, hilly country at moderate elevations, with scattered bushes and adequate water supply. Hydrophis mamillaris Broad Banded Sea Snake X
are considered to be some of the most dangerous snakes in world because of their venom toxicity and high population
densities. Saw-scaled vipers are extremely short-tempered, aggressive, and will strike without provocation. They usually try Hydrophis ornatus Reef Sea Snake X
Hydrophis spiralis Yellow Sea Snake X
SNAKEBITE FIRST AID
Lapemis curtus Shaw’s Sea Snake X
Avoid panic! Lightly immobilize injured part in
Microcephalophis cantoris Cantor’s Sea Snake X
SEA SNAKES STOKES’ SEA SNAKE HABITATS Move victim out of danger and place at
functional position.
Astrotia stokesii The greatest numbers of sea snakes are found in the Microcephalophis gracilis Graceful Small-Headed Sea Snake X rest. Transport victim to medical facility as
DESCRIPTION AND BIOLOGY warm shallow waters, without strong surf or current, along soon as possible.
the Arabian Sea coast. The mouths of rivers, bays, and Pelamis platurus Yellow-Bellied Sea Snake X Reassure and calm the patient.
Sea snakes differ in appearance from other snakes in that
they have an oar-like tail and laterally compressed bodies mangrove swamps are especially favored. Many species Thalassophina viperina Schmidt’s Sea Snake X Retain snake for identification if possible.
Remove rings and constrictive items.
to aid in swimming. A specialized lung and nostrils with YELLOW BELLIED SEA SNAKE
of sea snakes enter brackish or fresh water occasionally.
valves enable them to remain submerged for periods of up Pelamis platurus Some species of sea snakes that inhabit the deeper ocean
to 8 hours. Most sea snakes are completely marine and lack waters are only rarely found close to shore, when wind or
the enlarged ventral scales that enable land snakes to grip ANNULATED SEA SNAKE currents cause beach strandings.
the ground. Once ashore, these ocean-going snakes are Hydrophis cyanocinctus
helpless, and cannot crawl. Most species are dark above
and lighter below, or ringed with black and grayish green.
They feed on small fish and are preyed upon by sea birds,
sharks, and larger fish. Because of their marine environment,
sea snakes seldom come in contact with humans. The
exceptions are fisherman who capture these dangerous
snakes in fish nets and scuba divers who swim in waters where sea snakes are found. Serious envenomations by sea snake
bite is, however, extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. Some species of sea snakes have venom several times more UNITED STATES ARMY
toxic than the cobra’s. Their venom is a potent nerve toxin that acts by blocking transmission of messages from nerves to CENTER FOR HEALTH PROMOTION AND PREVENTIVE MEDICINE (USACHPPM)
muscles. Fatal bites result in death from respiratory, heart, or kidney failure.
ENTOMOLOGICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM, ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21010-5403
USACHPPM CP-001-1102