Report: The Palestinian snake.. Learn about one of the most dangerous snakes and how to protect yourself from its deadly bites?

Written By ندى ماهر عبدربه on 2024/06/29

This article was written originally in Arabic and is translated using a 3rd party automated service. ArabiaWeather is not responsible for any grammatical errors whatsoever.

Weather of Arabia - The bite of this snake causes severe pain at the site of the bite, followed by swelling, then blackening, and ulceration of the affected area. The bitten may go into a state of shock, and this may lead to amputation of the affected organ or even death.

This is what happened with the young Jordanian Ammar Obeidat, who died on Thursday, after being bitten by the “Palestinian snake” 10 days ago, in the Irbid Governorate in northern Jordan.

The Jordanian snake expert, Ibrahim Bani Yassin, stated that the young man spent 10 days in the hospital, but the poisonous “Palestine snake” overcame him in the end. Palestinian snake expert Jamal Ammawasi confirmed the news of death, indicating that the cause was the dangerous bite of the “Palestine snake.” What is it? This snake and how do you avoid its bites?

Palestine snake

The Palestinian poisonous snake is considered the most dangerous poisonous snake in Jordan. Due to the strong effect of its venom and its wide spread in various areas, including populated areas, this snake is distinguished by its ability to climb trees and walls, and by the large size of its head and body, reaching a length of 130 cm and its color is mixed between brown and pale gray with an inverted “V” sign on the head.

When and where is the Palestinian snake active?

The Palestine snake is active in the first hours after sunset, and it can also be active during the day in areas with dense grasses and shrubs, especially during the months of April and May. It spreads in the western villages of Irbid, Salt, Ajloun, Amman, Zarqa, Madaba, and the Jordan Valley and its farms from the River Yarmouk in the north and up to King Hussein Bridge in the south, and its spread decreases as we go south and east, until it does not exist in the eastern and southern desert regions.

Preferred environment

The Palestinian snake prefers to live in open forests, near streams, ponds, and farms. Its venom breaks down red blood cells and damages the blood vessel network, causing blood bleeding. Most deaths among bitten people in Jordan are due to the bites of this snake.

How do you protect yourself from the danger of Palestinian snake bites?

To protect yourself from the danger of Palestinian snake bites, you can follow these tips and preventive measures:

Be careful in areas known to have snakes

Avoid areas dense with grass and shrubs where snakes prefer to hide.
Wear boots when walking in rural or forest areas to reduce the chances of being bitten.

Check before sitting or moving

Check the place before sitting or placing hands on the floor.
Stay away from large stones and wood as snakes may hide under them.

Use sticks or tools to move objects

Use a stick or long tool to move grass or small trees when walking through suspicious areas.

Caution at night

I carry a flashlight to avoid surprises at night, especially in areas known to have snakes.

Do not play with snakes

Do not try to catch or harass snakes, as they bite in self-defense.

Wear protective clothing

Wear clothing that covers the body well, such as long pants and high shoes.

Knowledge of first aid

Learn about the basic first aid steps for treating snakebites, such as:

Stay away from the snake after a bite.
Do not move the affected part to reduce the spread of the poison.
Seek medical help immediately
Avoid cutting the wound or trying to suck out the poison

Maintain emergency information

Keep emergency phone numbers and hospitals nearby, and be prepared to call them in the event of a sting.

Use safe camping techniques

Use an enclosed tent while camping and check for snakes inside or around the tent before sleeping.

Awareness

Be aware of where snakes are found in your area and avoid going there alone.

By following these guidelines, you can reduce your risk of being bitten by the Palestine viper and other venomous snakes.

Snakes in Jordan

Professor Dr. Bashir Jarrar stated that Jordan contains 36 species of snakes , while there are 42 species throughout the geography of historical Palestine. Among these species, there are 9 highly venomous snakes, 9 lowly venomous snakes, and 24 non-venomous species.

Dr. Jarrar confirmed in a study published by the University of Jerash that the “Palestine snake” (Daboia palaestinae) is considered the most dangerous poisonous snake in Jordan and Palestine. This snake is characterized by its large head, plump body, and short tail, and is spread in central and northern Palestine, Jordan, and southern Lebanon. And a narrow strip on the western borders of Syria with Lebanon and Jordan, as well as in the Ghurian and semi-Ghurian regions. In Jordan, it is found in the governorates of Irbid, Ajloun, Madaba, Salt, Jerash, the Jordan Valley, and the semi-Ghor regions on both banks of the Jordan River and the plains near the Mediterranean.

The “Palestine snake” is one of the snakes that causes most cases of snake bites in the areas where it is found. The bite of this snake causes severe pain at the site of the bite, followed by swelling, blackening, and ulceration of the affected area. The bitten may go into a state of shock, and the matter may lead to the amputation of the affected organ or Until death, the venom of this snake breaks down red blood cells, damages the blood vessel network, and causes blood bleeding.

The "Palestine snake" causes at least five deaths in Jordan, and more than that in the Palestinian territories, and the total number of bite cases annually throughout historic Palestine reaches 300 cases, in addition to 130-150 bite cases annually between horses and livestock, which often end in death.

According to Dr. Jarrar, the cost of treating a person bitten by the Palestine snake reaches $40,000, and most of its victims are hikers and farmers. Serums to treat its bite are not available in any of the countries in which it is found, except in Israeli health institutions. A small number of those bitten have access to the real serum, while others receive it. They go to Egypt to treat the bites of the "Palestinian snake" with a general antidote (Polyvalent antivenom).

The “Palestine snake” ranks second on the list of the 10 most dangerous snakes in the Middle East, with only the false horned snake ahead of it, according to researcher Jarrar.