In Belize, there are about 140 species of reptiles living within its borders. More than 1/3 of the Belize list of whole reptiles, over 50, are made up of snakes. However, fortunately for humans, only 8 snake species in Belize were poisonous.
Some say that there are 10 or more poisonous snake species in Belize, but this has not been proven. Many locales in different parts of Belize have different names for the same snake. Thus, due to the lack of proper scientific classification, some local residents and foreigners suggest that there are no more than 8 species of poisonous snakes in Belize.
The eight venomous snakes of Belize are listed below, in alphabetical order, and not according to the potency of the poison:
# 1 - The Central American coral snake is very common and not too aggressive, but can be deadly. In the identification of this snake, remember this little rhyme: if the red color turns yellow, this is a dangerous little person.
# 2 - The Maya Coral Snake, looking like its cousin listed above, is very difficult to see and, like its cousin, not aggressive. Both of these corals have a strong and deadly neurotoxic poison. Maya coral snake is believed to be the most poisonous snake in Belize.
# 3 - The Eyelash Viper is a tree snake, the only venomous tree snake in Belize. Warning: watch as you step as they descend from the trees. Eyelash Viper is not aggressive, although it has a strong hemotoxic poison. The Viper has a very wide range of colors from red, yellow, brown, green, pink and even color combinations that are just mentioned, and some also have a black and / or brown spot.
# 4 - Fer de Lance is arguably the most dangerous snake in Belize, often referred to as Tommy Goff as native whites. Very aggressive and almost always known to stand his ground. this famous fighter does not hesitate to bite. Although he is responsible for most snake-related bites and many deaths in Belize, it is his “aggression that is most responsible for the loss of people. Although Fer de Lance's bite is poisonous, he is not immediately fatal because he digests the surrounding tissues, but does not stop vital organs.
# 5 - The Hognose Viper, also called the Rhino Viper, has a distinct inverted snout about two times taller than the rest of the head, and the snake’s body almost never exceeds 18 inches. Hognose, like Fer de Lance, has a strong hemotoxic poison.
# 6 - A jumping viper, a night serpent that loves to feed on lizards, rodents and frogs. These vipers will emerge from daytime shelters, mainly ground cover, such as logs, rocks, etc., in the early evening. The jumping vipers are short and fat, so when they strike, it looks like they jump, as the name is.
# 7 - The Mexican moccasin belongs to the Pit Viper family and is common in areas close to the coast. However, they are not as common to the Caribbean coast, where Belize is from Central America, as they are on the Pacific coast.
# 8 - Neotropical Rattlesnake is the only rattlesnake in Belize. This rattlesnake is found in wetlands ranging from Canada and south to Argentina. This particular Rattler has a very interesting composition of poison, which is actually based on a regional level, neurotic in the north and hematotoxic in the south. The differences in poison in this species make it very dangerous, since not all recipients of medical care have the right anti-poison for their regions.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of a poisonous snake bite, here are some tips on snake bites:
Call or have someone nearby contact the nearest hospital immediately. If possible, talk to the duty doctor. In Belize, doctors are known to seize a chilled anti-poison and go where the bite victim is. This doctor will know what is best to do in any situation.
If you have a commercial kit for snake bites, use DO using the suction tool that comes with it, placing it on top of the bite to help remove the poison from the wound.
Otherwise, NOT
- Do NOT attempt to suck poison through your mouth.
- DO NOT cut a snake with a knife or razor.
- DO NOT raise the bite area above human heart level.
- Do NOT use a tourniquet.
- Do not give a person anything because of the mouth.
- DO NOT apply cold compresses to a snake bite.
- DO NOT allow a person to over-fulfill. If necessary, carry the person to a safe place; DO NOT give the person stimulants or pain medication unless it is given by a doctor.
