CROTALID SNAKE ENVENOMATION

Over 5000 Americans suffer from snake bites annually, and of these, ne arly one quarter are from poisonous species. Although these cases are undeniably reported, death appears to occur in only a few cases each y ear, and often reflects delay in obtaining medical care. Two families of venomous snake indigenous to the United States account for most env enomations: Crotalidae (pit vipers or new world vipers) and Elapidae. This article focuses on the snakes of the Crotalidae family.