Dominical Costa Rica

Fascinating and frightening, snakes and other reptiles have historically captured the imagination of cultures around the world. Reviled or revered, the real or imagined threat that these animals pose can be somewhat mitigated by correct information. Regional folklore can at times be erroneous and perpetuates misunderstandings of the important role reptiles play in local ecosystems.

Costa Rica boasts an abundance of herpetofauna. To date 221 species have been recorded. Of these, only 20 are venomous and in the Southern Zone (roughly from Mañuel Antonio into the Osa and east to San Isidro de El General) there are 11 known species of venomous snakes. Common sense and a basic understanding of these frequently maligned creatures can help prevent unpleasant encounters and heighten your appreciation of their beauty and utility.

get to know your neighbors (they’re not all that bad)

The Southern Pacific Zone of Costa Rica is celebrated for its lush tropical rainforests and its breathtaking diversity of fauna. Amphibians and reptiles contribute to the fascinating “species richness” that can be found here. Much talked about but seldom seen, many varieties of snakes only occur in virgin jungle, however, there are a handful of species that have adapted to disturbed habitats. The majority of snakes found in our area do not present any significant danger to humans and in fact contribute in important ways to a healthy ecological balance. Nevertheless, becoming informed and learning how to identify an animal and understand something of its behavior can help to eradicate irrational fears. First, we’ll take a look at safety issues and emergency measures should the unthinkable occur.

how to avoid snakebites

Leave snakes alone. If you are inexperienced handling a wild snake, your best bet is to steer clear. Many people are bitten because they are trying to kill a snake or get a closer look at it. Never play with venomous snakes. Leave the daredevil Discovery Channel stunts to Steve Irwin and his ilk. Only a qualified herpetologist or field biologist should ever handle a venomous snake. The rest of us should remain at a safe distance—no nearer than two snake body lengths—from the animal. Do not pick up a “dead” snake! It may only be injured, stunned or playing dead. Even with a truly dead snake, reflex action can cause the jaws to open and close. Envenomations from decapitated heads have been reported.

Bites from unseen snakes in the wild may be prevented by common sense and proper dress. Stay out of tall grass and remain on hiking paths as much as possible. Boots and coarse long trousers should be worn in such areas. Most bites that occur are on the extremities (50% are on the feet). Keep hands and feet out of areas you can’t see. Be cautious and alert when climbing rocks. At night, one’s path should always be lit to make snakes visible, since many venomous snakes are nocturnal.

What to do if you encounter a snake? Walk around the snake giving it a little berth—six feet is plenty. Leave it alone and don’t try to catch it. Remember: indiscriminately killing snakes disturbs the ecological balance and in Costa Rica snakes are protected under the law, Ley de Conservacion de Fauna Silvestre #6919.

what to do when a snakebite occurs

A snakebite is usually not dangerous unless it is from a venomous species. Serious effects are rare from non venomous bites and usually produce only slight discomfort. These types of wounds can be treated with soap and water and an antiseptic such as Betadine to avoid secondary infections. A venomous bite, however, will be accompanied by burning sensations, pulsating pain, swelling, and discoloration around the puncture marks. Some venomous bites will induce slurred speech, dizziness and difficulty swallowing and breathing.

First aid or “field” measures to be used in the management of venomous snakebite should focus on delivery of the victim to medical care as quickly as possible:

A person bitten by a venomous snake should be taken to the hospital immediately. Before arriving at the hospital, keep the patient as calm and still as possible. According to the American Red Cross, these steps should be taken:
· Wash the bite with soap and water.
· Immobilize the bitten area, using a splint if necessary and keep it lower than the heart.
· Get medical help.
DO NOT perform such traditional measures as applying ice or a tourniquet, cutting and sucking, giving alcohol or aspirin, pouring turpentine on the wound, or the like. Whenever possible, the snake responsible for the bite should be identified. However if the snake is difficult to capture, it is best to avoid a second bite. Visual descriptions will usually suffice. Some medical professionals cautiously recommend the following two measures:
· If a victim is unable to reach medical care within 30 minutes, a bandage, wrapped 2 to 4 inches above the bite may help slow venom. The bandage should not cut off blood flow from a vein or artery. A good rule of thumb is to make the band loose enough that a finger can slip under it.
· A suction device may be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of the wound without making cuts. Suction instruments often are included in commercial snakebite kits.

Generally speaking, the recommended course of action is to observe the patient to determine the extent of envenomation. Venomous snakes can strike and bite entirely in defense without injecting venom. Such “dry” bites account for 20 to 40% of all snakebites. Anti venoms are developed for specific venomous snakes and patients must first be tested for hypersensitivity to horse serums, therefore anti venom should only be administered in a medical facility by a health-care specialist. Our closest hospital facility is in San Isidro: Hospital Dr. Fernando Escalante Pradilla, 771-3122. 771-3115, 771-3119, 771-5425 or Information: 771-0318.

Next issue: Learn about the common “mussurana” a local snake, harmless to humans, which eats venomous species!

Sources:
US Food and Drug Administration, “Treating and Preventing Venomous Bites”
Zug, Ernst & Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine & www.thesnake.org
A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica, Twan Leenders
Instituto Clodomiro Picado, www.icp.ucr.ac.cr

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