Fang tip spread, puncture distance, and suction for snake bite

Authors
Zamudio, KR Hardy, DL Martins, M Greene, HW
Citation
Kr. Zamudio et al., Fang tip spread, puncture distance, and suction for snake bite, TOXICON, 38(5), 2000, pp. 723-728
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology & Toxicology
Journal title
TOXICON
ISSN journal
00410101 → ACNP
Volume
38
Issue
5
Year of publication
2000
Pages
723 - 728
Database
ISI
SICI code
0041-0101(200005)38:5<723:FTSPDA>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
We measured the distance between fang tip punctures in defensive bites by w estern diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) and the distance between t heir retracted fangs. Because the fang tips at penetration average 112% fur ther apart than their bases at rest, The Extractor(R), a device widely mark eted in the United States for snake bite first aid, will not simultaneously cover both punctures of most adult New World pitvipers. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.