Big Four (Indian snakes)

Big Four (English for, Big Four ') is a policy used in the Indian subcontinent designation for four poisonous snakes species. After a long popular belief, they were responsible for almost all the deadly snake bites in the region. Recent research refute this.

In addition, the Big Four is also a term for four giant snakes species.

Poisonous snakes

Indian Krait Bungarus caeruleus

Chain Viper Daboia russelii

Common sand race Lotter Echis carinatus

The term was coined in the late 19th century and is based on the then knowledge of the taxonomy of snakes. Today, in the region of at least four cobra species, eight Krait species and two subspecies of Commons sand race Lotter are known, which can significantly differ in the composition of their poisons. In fact bites from snakes of other species cause significant numbers of illnesses and deaths. For this reason, the term Big Four is now only used occasionally in science.

In India polyvalent Schlangenseren for poisoning by these four species are still produced today. Recent research put this approach into question, since even the poisons of different subspecies or populations of a species of snake may show different compositions. In individual cases, the Schlangenseren must be administered in high doses increased. Of the physicians they are described as very effective. Frequently has even been found that a product manufactured in southern India polyvalent snake serum in the north of the country has a significantly lower efficacy.

Giant snakes

Bellosa et al. use the term for four types of giant snakes, however, occurring in Sulawesi Dark Tiger Pythons with a length of up to 2.40 meters are extremely short stature.

Dark Tiger Python Python molurus bivittatus

Reticulated python Broghammerus reticulatus

Northern Rock Python Python sebae