Calloselasma

Malaysian Mokassinotter ( Calloselasma rhodostoma ), illustration

The Malaysian Mokassinotter ( Calloselasma rhodostoma ) is the only kind of so monotypic genus Calloselasma within the pit vipers ( Crotalinae ). It is common in much of Southeast Asia.

Features

The Malaysian Mokassinotter reached an average length of 76 inches and maximum lengths up to about 90 centimeters, while the females are on average slightly larger than males. It is the only kind of Asian pit vipers, which has large head shields and smooth body scales.

Snake venom

The Malaysian Mokassinotter produces a very potent snake venom. It contains procoagulants ( clotting conveyor), which ultimately reduce by exhaustion of the body's clotting factors coagulation ability ( Disseminated intravascular coagulation ). In addition to a defibrinierend and thrombinartig -acting enzyme that does not (III AT) is inhibited by antithrombin III, further coagulating substances are detectable, which can be inhibited by AT III. In addition, the poison Hämorrhagine which can cause internal bleeding and cytotoxins contains ( cytotoxins ) that lead to necrosis. There will be many bite accidents with people. Deaths are mostly due to sepsis (a succession of necrosis), as well as bleeding in the brain.

The crude venom of Calloselasma rhodostoma serves as the basis for the production of the drug ancrod, a fibrinogen-splitting enzyme whose medical use is indicated in chronic arterial disease.

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of ​​the Malay Mokassinotter extends over large parts of Southeast Asia. Their occurrence is confirmed there for Cambodia, Laos, the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, and Central and South Vietnam, they also lived on the Indonesian island of Java. As habitat preferred the snake coastal forests and bamboo thickets and overgrown fallow and cultivated land and forests to plantations.