Cobra beware: Why snakebites are skyrocketing in the UK
Name: Snake Bites.
Age: Ancient.
Appearance: Two deep fang marks, somewhere fleshy.
Hope these are nice, light passing notes. It's not.
Oh, come on. The country is on fire. Prices increase. Couldn't we have a nice feel-good story about snakes? No. According to the journal Clinical Toxicology, which relied on data from the UK's National Poisons Information Service, the number of people bitten by snakes has exploded in recent years.
Good God, snakes! I know, and I'm sorry, but the facts speak for themselves. Doctors in the UK have treated 321 snakebites in the last 11 years.
That's crazy. What have we done to make the vipers so angry? You misunderstand me. This is not about people being randomly attacked by snakes in the wild.
Oh thank God. No, these are people who keep poisonous snakes as pets, and then are attacked by said animals, sometimes with painful consequences.
It's even worse somehow! He is. Some of the snakebites have resulted in intensive care stays, amputations and - in one case - death.
What kind of snakes do that? It varies. Some of the most serious bites come from species such as the king cobra (which can rear up on its tail to bite your face) and a Mozambique spitting cobra (considered one of Africa's most dangerous snakes).
Poisonous snakes sound like absolutely terrible pets, you know. Do not be dumb. There is something majestic and mysterious about the poisonous snake. They demand to be treated with the utmost respect.
Well, I guess if cared for reasonably by owners who understand the dangers... Did I mention that in 13 cases the snake had bitten a child under the age of five?
What's that? But it's legal to keep poisonous exotic animals in your home, as long as you have the proper permit.
That's a relief. So I can go on with my day as usual, then. You can. As long as you choose to deliberately ignore the deadly saw-scaled viper that was found loose in Salford in December.
What! ? And don't forget that snakes are much more likely to escape from their enclosures in hot weather, as they did in 2018 when there was a "mass escape" of captive snakes.
OK, I'll never go out again, then. Its good. It is still extremely rare to be bitten by a snake. You are much more likely to be injured in a traffic accident, fire or fall on the street. Honestly, the whole world is a total death trap, and snakes are probably the least of your worries.
That doesn't help. Sorry.
Say: "Snakebites are becoming more common in the UK."
Don't don't say, "In my day, we all had gerbils."
Name: Snake Bites.
Age: Ancient.
Appearance: Two deep fang marks, somewhere fleshy.
Hope these are nice, light passing notes. It's not.
Oh, come on. The country is on fire. Prices increase. Couldn't we have a nice feel-good story about snakes? No. According to the journal Clinical Toxicology, which relied on data from the UK's National Poisons Information Service, the number of people bitten by snakes has exploded in recent years.
Good God, snakes! I know, and I'm sorry, but the facts speak for themselves. Doctors in the UK have treated 321 snakebites in the last 11 years.
That's crazy. What have we done to make the vipers so angry? You misunderstand me. This is not about people being randomly attacked by snakes in the wild.
Oh thank God. No, these are people who keep poisonous snakes as pets, and then are attacked by said animals, sometimes with painful consequences.
It's even worse somehow! He is. Some of the snakebites have resulted in intensive care stays, amputations and - in one case - death.
What kind of snakes do that? It varies. Some of the most serious bites come from species such as the king cobra (which can rear up on its tail to bite your face) and a Mozambique spitting cobra (considered one of Africa's most dangerous snakes).
Poisonous snakes sound like absolutely terrible pets, you know. Do not be dumb. There is something majestic and mysterious about the poisonous snake. They demand to be treated with the utmost respect.
Well, I guess if cared for reasonably by owners who understand the dangers... Did I mention that in 13 cases the snake had bitten a child under the age of five?
What's that? But it's legal to keep poisonous exotic animals in your home, as long as you have the proper permit.
That's a relief. So I can go on with my day as usual, then. You can. As long as you choose to deliberately ignore the deadly saw-scaled viper that was found loose in Salford in December.
What! ? And don't forget that snakes are much more likely to escape from their enclosures in hot weather, as they did in 2018 when there was a "mass escape" of captive snakes.
OK, I'll never go out again, then. Its good. It is still extremely rare to be bitten by a snake. You are much more likely to be injured in a traffic accident, fire or fall on the street. Honestly, the whole world is a total death trap, and snakes are probably the least of your worries.
That doesn't help. Sorry.
Say: "Snakebites are becoming more common in the UK."
Don't don't say, "In my day, we all had gerbils."
What's Your Reaction?
