Venomous snakes of Israel: ecology and snakebite

Abstract

Ten species of venomous snakes belonging to three families occur in Israel and in Jordan, some of which may pose a serious threat to humans. Specific, local antivenins are available against only two of the species, while against others regional or European preparations are used. It is suggested that in addition to the monospecific anti-Vipera palaestinae, a polyspecific antivenin be prepared against the clinically most important venomous snakes of the region, namely, Echis coloratus, Pseudocerastes fieldi, Cerastes cerastes, Walterinnesia aegyptia, and Atractaspis engaddensis.