Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Venomous Snakes and Snakebites in Jordan

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Clinical Toxinology in Asia Pacific and Africa

Part of the book series: Toxinology ((TOXI,volume 2))

Abstract

Distributional data, diagnostic features, and habitat descriptions are given for seven species of venomous snakes found in Jordan. The epidemiology of snakebites in Jordan is discussed based on previous studies and recent data. Males were more vulnerable than females, and children less than 20 years old constituted the highest percentage of victims. Bites were more frequent in the spring and summer, peaking in April. Most bites occurred in Irbid Governorate. Symptoms associated with snakebites among hospitalized cases in Jordan are outlined. LD50 for venomous species known in Jordan and the Middle East are tabulated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abu Baker M, Rifai L, Joger U, Nagy Z, Wink M, Amr Z. Occurrence of Coluber (Hierophis) schmidti Nikolsky, 1909 in Jordan (Squamata: Colubridae). Herpetozoa. 2002;15:29–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abu Baker M, Qarqaz M, Rifai L, Hamidan N, Al Omari K, Modry D, Amr Z. Results of herpetofaunal inventory of Wadi Ramm Protected Area, with notes on some relict species. Russ J Herpetol. 2004;11:1–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al Shamari AH. Snake bites and their treatment in Jordan valley near Dead Sea. Middle East J Emerg Med. 2002;2:2–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Oran RM. Notable herpetological records from Central and Southern Jordan. Zool Middle East. 2000;21:31–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Oran RM, Amr ZS. First record of the Mole Viper, Atractaspis microlepidota engaddensis, from Jordan. Zool Middle East. 1995;11:47–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Oran RM, Disi AM, Al-Melhim WN, Amr Z. Reptiles of Wadi ‘Araba. Mutah. 1997;12:45–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Oran RM, Rostum S, Joger U, Amr ZS. First record of the Levantine Viper (Macrovipera lebetina) from Jordan. Zool Middle East. 1998;16:65–70.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amr Z. Biodiversity of reptiles and mammals in the Eastern Desert. In: Dutton R, Shahbaz M, editors. Jordan’s Arid Badia: deepening our understanding. London: Smith Gordon; 2008. p. 155–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amr ZS, Amr SS. Snakebites in Jordan. Snake. 1983;15(1):81–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amr ZS, Disi A. Systematics, distribution and ecology of the snakes of Jordan. Vertebr Zool. 2011;61:179–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amr ZS, Al-Oran R, Disi AM. Reptiles of southern Jordan. Snake. 1994a;26:41–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amr ZS, El-Oran R, Shwayt SN. Snake bites in Jordan. Snake. 1994b;26:111–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amr ZS, Disi AM, Al-Melhim WN. Additions to the knowledge of Müller’s Snake, Micrelaps muelleri Boettger, 1880 (Squamata: Serpentes: Colubridae). Herpetozoa. 1997;10:163–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batzri-Izraeli R, Bdolah A. Isolation and characterisation of the main toxic fraction from the venom of the False Horned Viper (Pseudocerastes fieldi). Toxicon. 1982;20:867–75.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM. Contribution to the herpetofauna of Jordan. 1. Venomous snakes. Dirasat. 1983;10:167–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM. A contribution to the herpetofauna of Jordan. 2. New records and a systematic list of snakes from Jordan. Snake. 1985;17:31–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM. Environmental factors affecting snake distribution in Jordan. In: Krupp E, Schneider W, Kinzelbach R, editors. Proceedings of the Symposium on the Fauna and Zoogeography of the Middle East, Mainz 1985; Beihefte zum Tiibinger Atlas des Vorderen Orients (A) 28; 1987. pp. 296–310.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM. Venomous snakes in Jordan. In: Gopalakrishnakone P, Chou LM, editors. Snakes of medical importance (Asia-Pacific region). Singapore: National University of Singapore and International Society on Toxinology (Asia-Pacific Section); 1990. p. 352–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM. Contribution to the herpetofauna of Jordan: V. New records of three colubrid snakes from Jordan. Snake. 1993;25:109–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM. A contribution to the knowledge of the herpetofauna of Jordan. IV. The Jordanian herpetofauna as zoogeographic indicator. Herpetozoa. 1996;9:71–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM. Herpetofauna of Jordan. Amman: United Nations Environment Programme; 2002. 288 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM, Amr ZS, Defosse D. Contribution to the herpetofauna of Jordan. III. Snakes of Jordan. Snake. 1988a;20:40–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM, Gharaibeh M, Salhab A. Comparative potency of two polyvalent antivenins in mice and recent incidents of snake bites in Jordan. Snake. 1988b;20:144–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM, Modry D, Bunian F, Al-Oran R, Amr Z. Amphibians and reptiles of the Badia region of Jordan. Herpetozoa. 1999;12:135–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM, Modry D, Necas P, Rifai L. Amphibians and reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. An atlas and field guide. Frankfurt am Main: Edition Chimaira; 2001. 408 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Disi AM, Amr ZS, Martens H. On the collection of amphibians and reptiles made by Mr. J. Klapperich from Jordan. Herpetozoa. 2004;16:141–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Oran RM, Al-Melhem WN, Amr ZS. Snakes of southern Jordan. Bollettino di Zoologia. 1994;61:359–67.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gasperetti J. Snakes of Arabia. Fauna Saudi Arabia. 1988;9:169–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gitter S, Levi G, Kochwa S, De Vries A, Rechnic J, Casper J. Studies on the venom of Echis colorata. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1960;9:391–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gitter S, Moroz-Perlmutter C, Boss JH, Livni E, Rechnic J, Goldblum N, De Vries A. Studies on the snake venoms of the near east: Walterinnesia aegyptia and Pseudocerastes fieldii. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1962;11:861–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hassan F, El Hawary MFS. Fractionation of the snake venoms of Cerastes cerastes and Cerastes vipera. Toxicon. 1977;15:170–3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herrmann HW, Joger U, Nilson G. Phylogeny and systematics of viperine snakes. III: resurrection of the genus Macrovipera as suggested by biochemical evidence. Amphibia-Reptilia. 1992;13:375–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaghbir M, Khoury F. Snake bites, scorpion and insect in Balqa: an epidemiological study. Dirasat. 1989;16:146–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Joger U, Amr ZM, Al-Oran R. Venomous snakes of Jordan. Arab Gulf J Sci Res. 2005;23:132–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kochva E, Meier J. The fangs of Atractaspis engaddensis Haas (Serpentes: Atractaspididae). Rev Suisse Zool. 1986;93:749–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kochva E, Shayer-Wollberg M, Sobol R. The special pattern of the venom gland in Atractaspis and its bearing on the taxonomic status of the genus. Copeia. 1967;1967:763–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krupnick J, Bicher HI, Gitter S. Central neurotoxic effects of the venoms of Naja naja and Vipera palestinae. Toxicon. 1968;6:11–6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lenk P, Kalyabina S, Wink M, Joger U. Evolutionary relationships among the true vipers (Reptilia: Viperidae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences. Mol Phylogen Evol. 2001;19:94–104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Leviton AE, Anderson SC, Adler K, Minton SA. Handbook to Middle East amphibians and reptiles. Oxford: Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mendelssohn H. On the biology of the venomous snakes of Israel. II. Isr J Zool. 1965;14:185–212.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Minton SA. Venom diseases. Springfield: Charles C. Thomas; 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  • Modry D, Rifai L, Abu Baker M, Amr Z. Amphibians and reptiles of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Denisia. 2004;14:407–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed AH, Abdel-Baset A, Hassan A. Immunological studies on monovalent and bivalent Cerastes antivenin. Toxicon. 1980;18:384–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nalbantsoy A, Karabay-Yavasoglu NU, Sayim F, Deliloglu-Gurhan I, Gocmen B, Arıkan H, Yildiz MZ. Determination of in vivo toxicity and in vitro cytotoxicity of venom from the Cypriot blunt-nosed viper Macrovipera lebetina lebetina and antivenom production. J Venomous Anim Toxins Trop Dis. 2012;18:208–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nofal WRJ. Identification of the inducers from Cerastes cerastes venom of edema in mouse and hemorrhage in rabbit at the molecular level. M. Sc. thesis. University of Jordan; 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ovadia M, Kochva E. Neutralization of Viperidae and Elapidae snake venoms by sera of different animals. Toxicon. 1977;15:541–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rechnic J, Trachtenberg P, Casper J, Moroz C, De Vries A. Afibrinogenemia and thrombocytopenia in guinea pigs following injection of Echis colorata venom. Blood. 1962;20:735–49.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saadeh AM. Case report: acute myocardial infarction complicating a viper bite. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2001;64:280–2.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sallal AJ, Amr ZS, Disi AM. Inhibition of hemolytic activity of snake and scorpion venom with date. Biomed Lett. 1997;55:51–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shakhanbeh JM. Histological and ultrastructural alternations in some mice tissue induced by Cerastes cerastes venom. M. Sc. thesis. Jordan University; 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shwayat SN, Disi AM, Amr ZS. Snakes of the genus Eirenis in Jordan. Vertebr Zool. 2009;59:87–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stümpel N, Joger U. Recent advances in phylogeny and taxonomy of Near and Middle Eastern Vipers – an update. In: Neubert E, Amr Z, Taiti S, Gümüs B, editors. Animal biodiversity in the Middle East: Proceedings of the First Middle Eastern Biodiversity Congress, Aqaba, Jordan:. ZooKeys. 2009; 31. pp. 179–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swaroop S, Grab B. Snakebite mortality in the world. Bull World Health Organ. 1954;10:35–76.

    CAS  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Venchi A, Sindaco R. Annotated checklist of the reptiles of the Mediterranean countries, with keys to species identification. Part 2 -Snakes (Reptilia, Serpentes). Annali del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale “G. Doria”, Genova 2006; 98:259–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiser E, Wollberg Z, Kochva E, Lee SY. Cardiotoxic effects of the venom of the burrowing asp, Atractaspis engaddensis (Atractaspididae, Ophidia). Toxicon. 1984;22:767–74.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wollberg Z, Shabo-Shina R, Intrator N, Bdolah A, Kochva E, Shavit G, Oron Y, Vidne BA, Gitter S. A novel cardiotoxic polypeptide from the venom of Atractaspis engaddensis (burrowing asp): cardiac effects in mice and isolated rat and human heart preparations. Toxicon. 1988;26:525–34.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, 3030, Irbid, 11112, Jordan

    Zuhair S. Amr

  2. Department of Biology, The University of Jordan, Amman, 11942, Jordan

    Ahmad M. Disi

Authors
  1. Zuhair S. Amr
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ahmad M. Disi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zuhair S. Amr .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Venom and Toxin Research Programme Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore

    P. Gopalakrishnakone

  2. Professor of Medicine (Rtd), Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Abul Faiz

  3. Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Ravindra Fernando

  4. Department of Clinical Medicine Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Christeine Ariaranee Gnanathasan

  5. Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit Department of Medicine, Bayero University Kano Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano, Nigeria

    Abdulrazaq Garba Habib

  6. Department of Medicine, School of Medicine National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Chen-Chang Yang

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

About this entry

Cite this entry

Amr, Z.S., Disi, A.M. (2015). Venomous Snakes and Snakebites in Jordan . In: Gopalakrishnakone, P., Faiz, A., Fernando, R., Gnanathasan, C., Habib, A., Yang, CC. (eds) Clinical Toxinology in Asia Pacific and Africa. Toxinology, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6386-9_55

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation