Unveiling the Dangers of “Non-Venomous” Snakes: A Comprehensive Guide

While popularly referred to as “rear-fanged snakes,” non-front-fanged snakes pose a significant threat to humans, with approximately 2,900 species producing venoms or oral secretions containing toxins and biologically active substances.

A Large Proportion of Snakes with Uncertain Medical Importance

A staggering 80% of living snake species belong to this group, many of which have been reassigned to multiple families and subfamilies due to advances in systematics investigations. Despite their prevalence in the pet industry, there is a lack of documented information and formal study on the potential medical importance of these species.

For centuries, the possible medical importance of these snakes has been subject to speculation, but there is a limited amount of useful descriptive information available regarding the real hazard (or lack thereof) of these species.

Filling the Gap in Toxicological and Medical Literature

The second edition of “Venomous” Bites from “Non-Venomous” Snakes provides a comprehensive review of non-front-fanged snakes, focusing on their capacity to cause harm to humans. This book offers a patient-centered, evidence-based approach, analyzing documented case reports of bites inflicted by a broad representation of species.

Updated and Expanded Information on Clinical Management

The book provides expanded and updated detailed information on the clinical management of medically significant bites from non-front-fanged snakes. It methodically reviews the topic and provides specific recommendations for medical professionals.

In addition, the book examines the hypothetical venomous nature of certain lizards considered non-venomous, such as the Komodo monitor or dragon, as well as the medical effects of their bites.

Dynamic Taxonomy and Terminology Updates

The book updates the dynamic taxonomy of advanced snakes, discussing the bases for these fluid changes. Furthermore, it reflects the ongoing debates regarding the definition of “venom” and the balanced reinforcement of non-medical criteria used to define the biological basis of the “venomous” condition in snakes and lizards.

By providing a comprehensive review of non-front-fanged snakes, this book fills a significant gap in toxicological, medical, and herpetological literature, offering valuable insights for medical professionals, herpetologists, and anyone interested in the subject.

Published by Elsevier Science on August 10, 2022, this book is available in English and can be identified by its ISBN numbers: 9780128227862 and 9780128227879.