tatjana , here is a link to a cool page. It a medical database on snakebite protocols, they list everyone known to man, taipans, death adders and my favorite , listed below http://www-surgery.ucsd.edu/ENT/DAVIDSON/snake/proinde.htm P.S. Do you know anything about karma, I want to come back as a horse.... in Oregon :) MEDICAL MANAGEMENT for bites by Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis) This person has received a bite and probable envenomation from a Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis polylepis). This is an extremely venomous, aggressive, rapidly moving scrub and tree dwelling snake from central, eastern and southern Africa. Clearly the most dangerous of the mambas, it is responsible for many snake bite fatalities. Envenomation signifies a true medical emergency. In this particular species, envenomation usually presents predominately with systemic neurologic manifestations. Drowsiness, neurological and neuromuscular symptoms may develop early; paralysis, ventilatory failure or death often ensue rapidly. Please read and execute the following procedures without delay. A crepe bandage and splint have been applied as immediate first aid adjuncts to retard the absorption of the venom. DO NOT remove the bandage or splint until the patient has arrived at the hospital and is receiving the antivenom. If the patient has been envenomated, the treatment is 4 to 20 vials of intravenous antivenom. Envenomation is diagnosed by the presence of characteristic signs and symptoms. Necessary information follows and is organized in sections: Signs and Symptoms of Envenomation Neurological and Neuromuscular: These signs and symptoms will usually manifest earliest. Not all signs and symptoms will necessarily develop, even with severe envenomation. Respiratory paralysis or Dyspnea Excessive salivation (Oral secretions may become profuse and thick) Drowsiness Restlessness Sudden loss of consciousness Ptosis Ophthalmoplegia Paresthesias and Dysesthesias Palatal paralysis Glossopharyngeal paralysis or Dysphagia Vertigo Fasciculations Limb paralysis Ataxia Head drooping (Cervical muscle paresis or paralysis) Headache Local pain or Numbness around bite site (tends to be mild) General: These symptoms typically manifest within thirty minutes to four hours following the bite if envenomation occurred. Shock Hypotension Abdominal Pain (may be severe) Nausea and Vomiting Regional lymphadenopathy and Lymphadenalgia Fever Epistaxis Flushing of the face Warm skin Increased Sweating Pallor Nephrotoxicity: Acute Renal Failure has been reported in a few cases of Black Mamba bites in humans as well as in animal models. Oliguria or Anuria with possible changes in urinary composition will herald the development of renal shutdown. Dialysis is advised. Cardiotoxicity: Changes in cardiovascular status result primarily from the effects of Circulatory Collapse and Shock, as well as vagal blockade resulting in Tachydysrhythmias. Pulse and pressure may initially be within normal limits, but may change with rapid onset cardiovascular collapse.

I'll bet you can make some sort of sushi with that!

Gee, I hope you're just talking about the victims of smaller stature. [;)] Seriously, what coasts do these nasties frequent? PS (pre-signature, actually, but...) Thanks for teaching me something before breakfast again; now I can just sleep through the rest of the day!

South pacific for sure, along with other nasties like cone shells, box jellys (AKA sea wasps), and blue ring octopi

What about treating the infected person with a taser?

have you ever been to an ibiza foam party?

I would clearly advise against it... TASERS hurt like hell!

well if you hadn't tried to put the moves on the girl doing the demos you wouldn't know. should have listened when she told ya to leave her be... ;)

i caught one of these ugly bastards fishing off the Northwest Cape of Australia. tatjana is right, they are the ugliest of the ugly. eyes all bugged out, making some sort of choking sound as it gasped for sea water. Aussie fella comes over and checks it out, steps back and says, "You bettah be chuckin' that fish back in the wattuh, mate!" and proceeded to tell us what the hell it was. i pushed it back to the edge of the fishing pier with end of my pole (my fishing pole, that is) till it fell back it the water. it came back a few years later as my mother in law.

As far as locations for them, there are quite a few in the Caribbean and along southern Florida and the keys. I've never seen one really close to shore so that you'd get stung on a beach - much higher risk of Sting Rays. But, you will see them a lot in deeper water, especially while SCUBA diving. Their camoflage is so great, you won't really notice them sitting on top of a rock, looking like part of it, hence their name. I have quite a few videos of them. (LEave nothing but bubbles, take nothing but pictures).

I think I have seen these in the Red Sea. If not these, then something very similar and quite venomous.

ROTFLMAO!