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My neighbor is a cobra
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by JMolle on September 11, 2006
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Hello,
I have searched Google for cobra facts, but mostly found info about extending my insurance. Could someone help me with practical advice?
I recently moved to southern China--a coastal city called Shantou. We live in a mountainous area just outside the main city. Recently, my friends have had two cobra sightings near our apartment (I have not yet seen one myself). According to them, the cobra (or cobras?) is small, less than 10 inches, black, has yellow squiggly marks on the back of its head, and rears up and shows its hood.
Could you give us any practical advice for safely living near cobras, or suggest a resource that can (preferably online, as I have no access to any books in English here)?
In particular, I was curious about what species of cobra this might be, what time of day cobras are most active, where they are likely to hang around, and how many cobras might be in one area (i.e. do we have one territorial cobra here, or a bunch of them?). Any info anyone can give us would be greatly appreciated. I enjoy snakes very much, but have no desire to run afoul of a cobra and have to rely on the dubious local medical system.
Thank you very much!
-Molly
P.S. Do cobras eat rats? 'Cause that would be great!
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RE: My neighbor is a cobra
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by Phobos on September 12, 2006
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Hi Molly:
The good new is that Cobras eat Rats. The number of Cobras you have in the area depends on how much prey (rats) are also in the area. Snakes are not out to get you and will flee if given the chance. The common ways to get bit are: Trying to catch or kill the snake, Accidently stepping on it at night. Reaching down and picking up something and not realizing it has a snake in close proximity.
I suggest getting rid of any debri or garbage outside where you live. It will deny snakes & rats a place to hide. Less food to eat=less Rats, less rats to eat= less Cobras to encounter. Check your house for ways Rats can get in and snakes can follow. Plug them wil metal mesh/wire with small enough holes to keep them out.
That should cover it. I think the Rats are more dangerous than the snakes. They carry all sort of diseases that are well known for killing humans. Snakes bite humans defensively and about 1/3 of the time do not inject venom.
The following is taken from this site: http://www.usyd.edu.au/anaes/venom/snakebite.html but is totally applicable for this type of snakebite. Do not use if bitten by a Viper type snake.
If bitten, Apply a pressure bandage NOT a Tournique.
First Aid for Cobra Snake Bites:
Stop lymphatic spread - bandage firmly, splint and immobilise!
The "pressure-immobilisation" technique is currently recommended by the Australian Resuscitation Council, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
The lymphatic system is responsible for systemic spread of most venoms. This can be reduced by the application of a firm bandage (as firm as you would put on a sprained ankle) over a folded pad placed over the bitten area. While firm, it should not be so tight that it stops blood flow to the limb or to congests the veins. Start bandaging directly over the bitten area, ensuing that the pressure over the bite is firm and even. If you have enough bandage you can extend towards more central parts of the body, to delay spread of any venom that has already started to move centrally. A pressure dressing should be applied even if the bite is on the victims trunk or torso.
Immobility is best attained by application of a splint or sling, using a bandage or whatever to hand to absolutely minimise all limb movement, reassurance and immobilisation (eg, putting the patient on a stretcher). Where possible, bring transportation to the patient (rather then vice versa). Don't allow the victim to walk or move a limb. Walking should be prevented.
The pressure-immobilisation approach is simple, safe and will not cause tissue damage (ie, from incision, injection, freezing or arterial torniquets - all of which are ineffective).
Bites to the head, neck, and back are a special problem - firm pressure should be applied locally if possible.
Removal of the bandage will be associated with rapid systemic spread. Hence ALWAYS wait until the patient is in a fully-equipped medical treatment area before bandage removal is attempted.
Do NOT cut or excise the area or apply an arterial torniquet! Both these measures are ineffective and may make the situation worse.
Get to a hospital where they have the serum to treat Cobra Bites.
Good luck,
Al
SHHS Webteam Member
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RE: My neighbor is a cobra
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by Cro on September 12, 2006
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Molly, the cobras found in the Shantou area of Southern China are the Chinese Cobra, Naja atra.
There is a good photo of one at Dr. Wolfgang Wuster`s site:
http://sbsweb.bangor.ac.uk/~bss166/Taxa/Naja_atra.htm
Hope this helps.
Best Regards JohnZ
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