The Venomous Snakes Of Afghanistan: A Dangerous Slither Through History

Afghanistan is home to a wide variety of snakes, with 36 species of snakes found in the country. Thirteen of these species are venomous, including the Oxus cobra, Haly's pit viper, Levantine viper, and the saw-scaled viper. The saw-scaled viper is considered one of Asia's deadliest snakes. U.S. soldiers stationed in Afghanistan have been known to hunt snakes and scorpions in their downtime, and when bitten by venomous snakes, they are treated with Iranian antivenin.

The saw-scaled viper is one of Asia's deadliest snakes

Afghanistan is home to a wide variety of snakes, with 36 species of snakes found in the country. Thirteen of these species are venomous, including the Oxus cobra, Haly's pit viper, Levantine viper, and the saw-scaled viper.

The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is one of Asia's deadliest snakes. It is a small venomous snake, typically measuring between 38 and 76 cm in length. However, its bite results in many human fatalities due to its highly toxic venom. The saw-scaled viper is characterised by its stout body, pear-shaped head, vertically elliptical pupils, and rough, strongly keeled scales. Its colouration can vary, ranging from shades of brown, grey, orange, or pale buff, with darker dorsal blotches and lateral spots.

Saw-scaled vipers are highly aggressive and are known for their distinctive threat display, where they rub their body scales together to produce a sizzling warning sound. They are also extremely agile, moving swiftly in serpentine or sidewinding loops. This species is crepuscular and nocturnal, hunting at twilight for food, which includes lizards, scorpions, small rodents, and various arthropods.

Saw-scaled vipers are commonly found in dry regions, inhabiting rocky slopes, deserts, and dry plains. They are often found hiding under loose rocks or in deep mammal burrows during the daytime, and they may also bury themselves in sand, leaving only their heads exposed. They are particularly abundant in populated areas, which contributes to their high number of snakebite cases.

The saw-scaled viper's venom is extremely toxic, causing severe local and systemic symptoms. Local symptoms include swelling and pain, which can appear within minutes of a bite. In severe cases, swelling can spread up the affected limb within 24 hours, and blisters may form on the skin. Systemic symptoms include hemorrhage and coagulation defects, as well as hematemesis, melena, hemoptysis, hematuria, and epistaxis, which can lead to hypovolemic shock. The mortality rate from their bites is about 20%, and antivenom treatment is vital for survival.

US soldiers bitten by venomous snakes in Afghanistan are given Iranian antivenin

Afghanistan is home to a variety of venomous snakes, including the Oxus cobra, Haly's pit viper, the Levantine viper, and the saw-scaled viper. With 13 species of venomous snakes in the country, it is no surprise that US soldiers have encountered these deadly creatures during their deployments. When bitten, US soldiers are given Iranian antivenin, specifically, the Razi antivenin produced by Iran's Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute. This is despite the tense relations and sanctions between the two countries.

The Razi antivenin is considered the preferred therapy for venomous snake bites in Afghanistan, as it counters the venom of the country's most common venomous snakes. According to medical guidance issued by the US Central Command, the Iranian antivenin should be the first line of treatment. This is particularly important as untreated venomous snake bites can have severe consequences, including tissue breakdown, hemorrhaging, facial drooping, double vision, paralysis, respiratory failure, and even death.

The US Defense Department has had to purchase the antivenin through middlemen due to the sanctions in place. Since January 2011, they have bought approximately 115 vials at $310 each. However, the sanctions have made it challenging for the Iranian institute to acquire the necessary chemicals and equipment, leading to increased prices. Despite the political tensions, the lead researcher at the institute, Hadi Zareh, has stated that their priority is saving lives, regardless of the person's nationality.

The need for antivenin in Afghanistan is not unique to US soldiers. The pharmacy at the British-run Camp Bastion hospital, adjacent to the US Camp Leatherneck, also stocks Iranian antivenin. According to Col. Rob Russell, the medical director, "The Iranian antivenin is the best, and our guys deserve the best."

The situation highlights an interesting irony in the relationship between the US and Iran. While political and economic tensions run high, the US military relies on Iran's scientific expertise to protect the health and lives of its soldiers deployed in Afghanistan.

There are 36 species of snakes in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is home to 36 species of snakes, ranging from venomous species to constrictors. The country's rugged mountains, rivers, valleys, and marshes provide a habitat for a variety of snakes, some of which are unique and dangerous.

One of the most well-known venomous snakes in Afghanistan is the Central Asian Cobra, also known as the Caspian Cobra or Oxus Cobra. This heavy-bodied snake can grow up to 140 cm (55 in) long and is incredibly venomous, with a single bite being potent enough to kill 40 adult humans. Fortunately, it tends to avoid humans and will escape if approached.

Another venomous snake found in Afghanistan is the Halys Pit Viper, also known as the Siberian Pit Viper or Asiatic Pit Viper. This snake can be identified by its gray, red, pale brown, or yellow coloring, with large dark spots and a white belly speckled with gray or brown. It is found in mountainous regions and can cause severe symptoms such as excruciating pain, severe swelling, and respiratory distress if it bites.

The Saw-scaled Viper is another venomous snake in Afghanistan and is responsible for a significant number of snakebite incidents. It is small in size but can cause internal bleeding and death within a few hours. This snake is highly aggressive and capable of lunging to deliver a bite.

In addition to these venomous snakes, Afghanistan is also home to non-venomous species such as the Jan's Cliff Racer, the Spotted Desert Racer, and the Glossy-bellied Racer. These snakes are timid and pose no danger to humans, but they can bite if agitated.

The variety of snakes in Afghanistan showcases the country's diverse wildlife, which includes endangered species such as snow leopards, wolves, and markhor goats, as well as unique species like the Bactrian deer.

US soldiers hunt snakes in Afghanistan to break the monotony of rotations

Afghanistan is home to some of the world's deadliest creatures, including venomous snakes and scorpions. US soldiers stationed in the country have been known to hunt these creatures to break the monotony of their rotations.

US Army Staff Sgt. Aaron Christensen, a self-described reptile enthusiast, often leads these expeditions. Growing up exploring the woods and coastlines of Oregon, Christensen was excited to encounter the exotic wildlife of Afghanistan. He recalls:

> I knew we had our job to do, but I was thinking in the back of my mind that I hope to see some of the cool things I have only seen in pictures or at exotic reptile shows.

Christensen's enthusiasm for herpetology is not just a hobby; he has owned cobras, rattlesnakes, lizards, and even a small alligator as pets. His interest in reptiles is so strong that he has two of his pet snakes tattooed on his left bicep.

The soldiers' base, located in Kandahar Province, is surrounded by a 200-foot rock and mud hill teeming with snakes, scorpions, spiders, and other wildlife. The troops refer to these creatures as "creepy crawlies" and often hunt them at night using knives and flashlights. These expeditions provide entertainment and education, and the captured creatures are sometimes used for "arachnid fight night" or even cooked for a quick meal.

One of the most dangerous snakes in Asia, the saw-scaled viper, is among the species found by Sgt. Christensen during these hunts. He described the experience of extracting one from its mud den as exhilarating, like "being a kid in a candy store."

In addition to providing a break from the monotony of rotations, these hunts also offer a unique opportunity for soldiers to learn about the local ecosystem and interact with nature. They showcase the soldiers' adaptability and their ability to find creative ways to pass the time during their deployments.

While the soldiers' primary focus remains on their military duties and patrolling the area, these snake-hunting expeditions offer a fascinating insight into how they cope with the challenges of their deployments in a hostile environment.

The world's most dangerous scorpion, the death stalker, is found in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is home to a plethora of dangerous creatures, including snakes, spiders, and the world's most venomous scorpion, the death stalker.

The death stalker, or Leiurus quinquestriatus, is a highly dangerous species of scorpion, native to desert and scrubland habitats across North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Its name, Leiurus quinquestriatus, translates to "five-striped smooth-tail" in English, owing to its yellow colour and characteristic stripes. The death stalker is a member of the Buthidae family, the largest scorpion family in the world.

The death stalker's venom is a powerful concoction of neurotoxins, including agitoxins, charybdotoxin, and chlorotoxin, which affect the nervous system. While a sting from this scorpion is extraordinarily painful and can cause nausea, vomiting, headaches, and abdominal cramps, it is rarely fatal to healthy adults. However, for young children, the elderly, or those with medical conditions, the risk of death is much higher. Envenomation by the death stalker can lead to anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction. Moreover, a study from Israel showed a high rate of pancreatitis following envenomation. If a sting from the death stalker proves fatal, the cause of death is usually pulmonary edema.

The death stalker is well-adapted to the harsh desert climate, with temperatures reaching around 110°F (43.5°C). They are nocturnal creatures, hunting by lying in wait and then striking their prey very quickly. Their diet consists of insects, such as beetles, flies, and crickets, as well as other arachnids.

In Afghanistan, the presence of dangerous creatures like the death stalker scorpion, as well as venomous snakes and spiders, poses a significant risk to both locals and visitors exploring the country's rugged terrain.

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