Trimeresurus rubeus - Viet Snake Rescuer

Trimeresurus rubeus

Poisonous
Do not touch.
Snake repellent is ineffective.

The ruby-eyed viper has the scientific name Trimeresurus rubeus Malhotra et al .2011. Belonging to the viper family (Viperidae), genus Trimeresurus . This is a viper species endemic to the Indochinese Peninsula, currently found only in Vietnam and Cambodia .

Size: Can reach up to 58.6cm in males and 50.3cm in females.
Coloration: The posterior half of the body is dark blue to grass green, similar on the ventral and dorsal sides. A prominent white stripe runs along the sides. In males, the white stripe along the sides may have a dull reddish-brown underline, more pronounced on the posterior half of the body; the white stripe may extend to the head as a stripe behind the eye, passing below the eye. The upper lip scales are pale blue and distinct from the rest of the head.
Head: Triangular when viewed from above, clearly distinct from the neck. There are cheekbones located between the eyes and nose. Eyes are large, bright orange-red or dark red in both sexes.
The body is cylindrical, with a uniformly reddish-orange tail that extends to the cloacal opening on both the dorsal and ventral sides.

Habitat: Primarily nocturnal, active on riverbanks, thickets, tree roots and branches near fast-flowing rocky streams (altitude 450–500 m).
Reproduction: Giving birth to live young ( ovoviviparous ).
Food: They eat small amphibians and reptiles, and sometimes small mammals .

Reassure the victim

Keep the victim still and limit movement to slow the spread of the venom. Do not allow the victim to walk around.

Immobilize the wound

Clean the bite wound with soap and water. Apply a light compression bandage (not a tourniquet) above the bite, keeping the bitten area lower than the heart.

Go to a medical facility

Transport the victim to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. If possible, take a picture of the snake so the doctor can identify the appropriate antivenom.

DO NOT cut the wound, DO NOT suck out the venom, DO NOT apply folk remedies.

Venom contains cytotoxic and hemotoxic substances that affect blood clotting. Symptoms include severe local pain, widespread swelling , edema, necrosis (rare), and systemic symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and internal bleeding.