DIGITAL FACT SHEET
Part of a series on Dangerous Snakes of West Africa
Sahelian Burrowing Asp
Atractaspis micropholis
DESCRIPTION:
The Sahelian Burrowing Asp reaches a size of around 40cm – Burrowing asps are quite shiny and usually black, blackish-grey, or occasionally, blackish brown.
HABITS & HABITAT:
The Sahelian Burrowing Asp is found in semi desert and dry savanna regions of the West African Sahel. Burrowing asps live and hunt in holes underground but may emerge at night, especially during and after rain. If molested it will typically arch its neck into an inverted U-shape, pointing its nose at the ground. It will also thrash or jerk around, sometimes coiling and uncoiling. It will sometimes turn the head and neck upside down and lash from side to side.
DISTRIBUTION:
Burkina Faso; Gambia; Mali; Niger; Nigeria; Senegal.
VENOM:
The venom of the Sahelian Burrowing Asp is Cytotoxic & Haemotoxic.
SYMPTOMS:
Immediate, intense pain and burning and the bite site; Swelling is common and may affect the entire limb; Blood filled blister; Necrosis is the usual outcome, as well as the loss of a digit.
FIRST AID:
Analgesia; Elevation; Bedrest.
ANTIVENOM:
Not effective.
Range map:
Map legend: Red dots show verified records submitted to inaturalist.org. Transparent overlay shows known range.
Unless otherwise noted, all photographs and maps are sourced from iNaturalist and permitted under licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Information sources: Published literature, Wikipedia and The Reptile Database.
Part of a series on Dangerous Snakes of West Africa
