Received: January 28, 2008.

Accepted: May 26, 2008.

Abstract published online: May 30, 2008.

Full paper published online: August 31, 2008.

ENVENOMATION BY THE MALAGASY COLUBRID SNAKE  Langaha madagascariensis

D’CRUZE NC (1)

(1) Frontier, The Society for Environmental Exploration, London, UK.

ABSTRACT: This report documents a case of envenomation by a Malagasy opisthoglyphous snake, Langaha madagascariensis. The snake bit the finger of a healthy adult man who was attempting to record its morphological measurements as part of a biodiversity survey which was being conducted in the extreme north of Madagascar. Symptoms of this case included severe local pain accompanied by observable swelling which lasted for several days. The present observations indicate that bite by L. madagascariensis potentially causes notable physiological effects in humans although the snake is generally calm and reluctant to bite unless provoked.

KEY WORDS: Madagascar, colubrid, Langaha madagascariensis, envenomation, opisthoglyph, Duvernoy’s glands.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: There is no conflict.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

NEIL C. D’CRUZE, The World Society for the Protection of Animals, 89 Albert Embankment, London WE1 7TP, United Kingdom. Phone: 020 7587 5056. Fax: 020 7793 0208. Email: cruzecontrol@gmail.com