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Symptoms and circumstances associated with bites by the brown tree snake (Colubridae: Boiga irregularis) on Guam

T. H. Fritts·M. J. McCoid·R.L. Haddock
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Abstract

A review of 94 cases of snakebite by the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis, in Guam spanning a two year period shows a high proportion (80%) involve victims bitten while sleeping in their homes at night. Some bites apparently involve attempts to feed on small children. Of all children less than 1 yr old that were bitten in a two year period, infants 1-3 mo old comprised 82%. The symptoms exhibited by children are more severe than those experienced by adults. The snake is a rear-fanged (i.e., has enlarged and grooved teeth on the posterior maxillae) colubrid with a moderately large Duvernoy's gland.

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T. H. Fritts, M. J. McCoid, R.L. Haddock. 1994. Symptoms and circumstances associated with bites by the brown tree snake (Colubridae: Boiga irregularis) on Guam. https://doi.org/10.2307/1564676

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