What is cytotoxin?
All snake venom is unique, but there are a few commonalities that related snakes share. One of the potential venom types is known as “cytotoxic” venom, and it is known for its destruction of tissue. A cytotoxin is a protein that destroys cell membranes. This is essentially a microscopic cell “explosion,” and the resulting cell is totally destroyed. When there is a large amount of cytotoxic, huge groups of cells are killed, resulting in large-scale tissue damage. Although the effects are microscopic, the overall effect is tissue damage and necrosis that can be seen in a macro sense. In common language, cytotoxic venom kills cells and tissues at scale. Many regard it as flesh-eating venom. It’s important to know that “cytotoxin” is a generally broad term, with many other toxins fitting under the umbrella of “cell or tissue damage.”
What does cytotoxin do to your body?
The effects of cytotoxic venom depend on the amount of venom injected and how potent the concoction is. Here are the effects after most people are bitten by a snake with cytotoxic venom. Keep in mind that the above effect is for highly potent cytotoxins. For many snakes, the resulting damage is more localized (like with the copperhead). Still, all cytotoxins are dangerous, and many snakes utilize these proteins as a way of hunting and defense.
What snakes have cytotoxic venom?
Most snake venom is a concoction of various toxins, cytotoxin being among them. This list details some of the most dangerous snakes that utilize cytotoxins as a primary ingredient in their venom, and almost all of them are deadly. There are many other snakes that use cytotoxins, but these examples are the most well-known and the deadliest. Here are 10 snakes with flesh-eating venom!
Rattlesnakes
There are many species of rattlesnake across the Americas, and all of them are dangerous. Rattlesnakes are known for their deadly venom, which is made up of various toxins and molecule combinations. Their venomous compound is primarily a hemotoxin. Hemotoxins kill red blood cells and other tissues, causing them to rupture and burst. Rattlesnakes can be found across North, Central, and South America in almost every environment.
Puff adders
The venom of the puff adder is extremely dangerous and is responsible for more fatalities than any other snake in Africa, although that is mostly due to how distributed they are. All adders have cytotoxic venom that results in swelling, bleeding, and hemorrhages. Adders generally inject 150-350 mg of venom per bite, with most humans dying with injections of only 100 mg. Puff adders can be found across sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Gaboon vipers
The Gaboon viper is known for having the highest venom yield and all venomous snakes. As a result, their bite is often deadly. Thankfully, bites are rare as they are pretty docile and live in isolated areas. Their venom is cytotoxic but is dangerous due to the amount injected and isn’t as potent as others. The Gaboon viper is found in the rainforests of central and west Africa.
Saw-scaled vipers
The venom of saw-scaled vipers is hemotoxic and cytotoxic. The bitten areas suffer from necrosis and a lack of clotting, with about 20% of their bites being fatal if left untreated. Saw-scaled vipers can be found in the arid and dry regions around the equator in Africa, Arabia, southwestern Asia, and India.
Russell’s vipers
The venom of Russell’s vipers is characterized as “Russtoxic” and results in bleeding, lack of coagulation, neurological problems, and eventual organ failure. Their bite has a mortality rate of 2.6%, and the most common victims are paddy farmers. Russell’s vipers can be found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and much of Southeast Asia.
Bushmaster
The venom of the bushmaster viper is very dangerous, although little research has been done on them. They are notably hard to keep in captivity, with their amount of venom and venom toxicity dropping over time. Of the few reported bites, however, the mortality rate appears to be around 80%. Bushmaster vipers are found in South America and are recognized as one of the deadliest snakes in the New World.
Lancehead vipers
There are a few lancehead viper species, but the most famous is the golden lancehead. It has a highly hemotoxic venom that destroys cells and prevents clotting. They are evolved to live on an island off the coast of Brazil that is almost devoid of mammals. As a result, their venom is specifically targeted toward birds, ectotherms, and arthropods. The golden lancehead is native to the small Queimada Grande Island, located off the coast of Brazil. The other lancehead vipers are found in Central and South America.
Cobras
Of all the snakes famous for cytotoxins, cobras are the most notable. Some species are known to have venom that is between 40-70% cytotoxin. The king cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world, and its venom is famed for its necrosis effects. Additionally, cobras utilize neurotoxic venom, making it a potent and deadly combination. Bites result in paralysis and mass tissue necrosis. True cobras belong to the Naja genus, all of which are known for their cytotoxic compounds and potent venom. Members of the genus Naja can be found in most of Africa and Asia.
