Watson’s Burrowing Asp

DESCRIPTION:

The size of the Watson’s Burrowing Asp is unknown although probably similar to other burrowing asps. Burrowing asps are quite shiny and usually black, blackish-grey, or occasionally, blackish brown.

HABITS & HABITAT:

Watson’s 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:

S Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, S Niger, N Nigeria, N Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, possibly Benin (Hughes 2013), Republic of South Sudan (RSS), Sudan (Jumhūriyyat).

VENOM:

The venom of the Watson’s 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.