Venomous snakebites in an urban area: what are the possibilities?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the number of different species of venomous snakes privately kept in a large urban area. METHODS: An anonymous survey of potential snake owners in the Philadelphia urban and suburban area. The survey was mailed to members of the Philadelphia Herpetological Society. In addition, the survey was published in 2 herpetological newsletters and online in the Herpetology Network. RESULTS: One hundred sixty responses were obtained during a 6-month period. Ownership of 74 different varieties of venomous snakes was reported. Antivenin was not locally available for 13 of these species. CONCLUSION: A wide variety of venomous captive snakes can be found in the private sector. The potential for having to treat an envenomation requires the emergency physician to maintain an education of snakebite management options, including the various antivenin options available in their geographical location.