Common krait

Eiturkraftur

Bit

Eitrið kemur út um eiturtennurnar eða tennurnar þegar það bítur.

Hvað gerir eitrið þegar það bítur eða stingur?

Its venom is neurotoxic, meaning it attacks the nerves. It blocks signals between nerves and muscles, which leads to progressive paralysis. Victims often have severe abdominal cramps and shortness of breath. Death from respiratory failure, meaning the breathing muscles stop working, may follow in about 4 to 8 hours if untreated.1

Hversu hættulegt er það fólki?

It is responsible for the majority of medically significant snakebites in the Indian subcontinent. A clinical toxicology study reports an untreated mortality rate of 70 to 80 per cent. Bites often happen at night, when people are sleeping on the ground. The bite may cause little or no pain, which can delay treatment.1

Góðar fréttir: læknar eiga lyf (móteitur) eða meðferð við þessu.1

Hvað gerir það þegar það er hrætt?

When threatened, it coils tightly with its head tucked underneath, may flatten its body, or makes sudden movements as a warning. It rarely bites unless provoked, but it can be more aggressive at night if disturbed.1