ABSTRACT
Snakes are venomous at birth. They are strict carnivores, eating small nocturnal mammals, especially rodents, birds and bird eggs, lizards, frogs, and other snakes. The venom apparatus of Crotalus consists of paired venom glands located at the outer edge of the upper jaw and homologous with the human parotid. These glands are contracted by compressor muscles, innervated separately from muscles of the biting mechanism. Venom is a chemically complex organic substance that may affect almost every body tissue and organ, either primarily or secondarily. Snake venom poisoning is a medical, not a surgical emergency. It requires immediate and adequate neutralization of as much of the venom as possible, and prevention or reduction of the effects of the venom already absorbed. Definitive therapy for pit viper envenomation is administration of a specific antidote to the complex poison: antivenin in adequate amounts given intravenously as early as possible.
