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Family: Lamprophiidae
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Subfamily: Psammophiinae
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Genus: Malpolon
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Species: moilensis
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Common Names
Hooded Malpolon , Moila Snake , Talheh Snake , False Cobra
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Local Names
Abu Shiedigat , Egtateh , Zaraq , Zarag
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Region
Middle East + North Africa + West Asia
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Countries
Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Mauritania
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Taxonomy and Biology
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Adult Length: 0.60 m
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General Shape
Medium in length, cylindrical, medium bodied snake with a relatively long tapering tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 1.90 metres but rarely exceeds 1.30 metres. Head is elongate, distinctly and sharply convex and slightly distinct from neck when viewed from above. Angular canthus rostralis. Snout is projecting and obtusely pointed. Neck often ladel shaped and capable of expansion when disturbed. Eyes are large in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth.
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Habitat
Up to about 1500 metres, mainly Steppe and stony semi-desert, desert margins and dry open scrublands.
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Habits
Diurnal tending to crepuscular and / or nocturnal in hotter weather. If disturbed or provoked it may elevate the anterior third of its body at an angle of about 45° and dilates its neck. It will advance toward an adversary if provoked.
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Prey
Feeds mainly on gerbils, birds, rodents, small mammals, lizards and cockroaches.
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Venom
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General: Venom Neurotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Myotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Procoagulants
Not present
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General: Venom Anticoagulants
Not present
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General: Venom Haemorrhagins
Present but not defined
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General: Venom Nephrotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Cardiotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Necrotoxins
Not present
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General: Venom Other
Not present or not significant
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Clinical Effects
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General: Dangerousness
Unknown, but unlikely to cause significant envenoming, most unlikely to be dangerous.
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General: Rate of Envenoming: Unknown but likely to be low
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General: Untreated Lethality Rate: Unlikely to prove lethal
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General: Local Effects
Insufficient clinical reports to know, but most likely minor local pain & swelling only
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General: Local Necrosis
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: General Systemic Effects
Insufficient clinical reports to know
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General: Neurotoxic Paralysis
No clinical reports for this species, but related species may cause flaccid paralysis
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General: Myotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Coagulopathy & Haemorrhages
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Renal Damage
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Cardiotoxicity
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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General: Other
Does not occur, based on current clinical evidence
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First Aid
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Description: First aid for bites by non-front-fanged colubroid snakes likely to cause either no effects or only mild local effects.
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Details
1. After ensuring the patient and onlookers have moved out of range of further strikes by the snake, the bitten person should be reassured and persuaded to lie down and remain still. Many will be terrified, fearing sudden death and, in this mood, they may behave irrationally or even hysterically. The basis for reassurance is the fact that many venomous bites do not result in envenoming, the relatively slow progression to severe envenoming (hours following elapid bites, days following viper bites) and the effectiveness of modern medical treatment.
2. The bite wound should not be tampered with in any way. Wiping it once with a damp cloth to remove surface venom is unlikely to do much harm (or good) but the wound must not be massaged.
3. All rings or other jewellery on the bitten limb, especially on fingers, should be removed, as they may act as tourniquets if oedema develops.
4. The bitten limb should be immobilised as effectively as possible using an extemporised splint or sling.
5. If there is any impairment of vital functions, such as problems with respiration, airway, circulation, heart function, these must be supported as a priority. In particular, for bites causing flaccid paralysis, including respiratory paralysis, both airway and respiration may be impaired, requiring urgent and prolonged treatment, which may include the mouth to mask (mouth to mouth) technique of expired air transfer. Seek urgent medical attention.
6. Do not use Tourniquets, cut, suck or scarify the wound or apply chemicals or electric shock.
7. Avoid peroral intake, absolutely no alcohol. No sedatives outside hospital. If there will be considerable delay before reaching medical aid, measured in several hours to days, then give clear fluids by mouth to prevent dehydration.
8. If the offending snake has been killed it should be brought with the patient for identification (only relevant in areas where there are more than one naturally occurring venomous snake species), but be careful to avoid touching the head, as even a dead snake can envenom. No attempt should be made to pursue the snake into the undergrowth as this will risk further bites.
9. The snakebite victim should be transported as quickly and as passively as possible to the nearest place where they can be seen by a medically-trained person (health station, dispensary, clinic or hospital). The bitten limb must not be exercised as muscular contraction will promote systemic absorption of venom. If no motor vehicle or boat is available, the patient can be carried on a stretcher or hurdle, on the pillion or crossbar of a bicycle or on someone's back.
10. Most traditional, and many of the more recently fashionable, first aid measures are useless and potentially dangerous. These include local cauterization, incision, excision, amputation, suction by mouth, vacuum pump or syringe, combined incision and suction ("venom-ex" apparatus), injection or instillation of compounds such as potassium permanganate, phenol (carbolic soap) and trypsin, application of electric shocks or ice (cryotherapy), use of traditional herbal, folk and other remedies including the ingestion of emetic plant products and parts of the snake, multiple incisions, tattooing and so on.
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Treatment
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Treatment Summary
Bites by this species are not expected to cause medically significant effects and the only risk, probably small, is local secondary infection. Patients presenting with bites by these snakes do not require medical attention, other than to check for infection and ensure tetanus immune status. Patients should be advised to return if local symptoms develop, suggesting secondary infection.
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Key Diagnostic Features
Bites unlikely to cause more than mild to moderate local swelling & pain, occasionally local bruising, paresthesia/numbness, erythema or bleeding, but no necrosis and no systemic effects.
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General Approach to Management
While most cases will be minor, not requiring admission, some cases will be more severe, requiring admission and treatment, so assess carefully before early discharge.
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Antivenom Therapy
No antivenom available
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