First authenticated case of Sri Lankan flying snake (Chrysopelea taprobanica) bite

Abstract

Flying snakes (Genus Chrysopelea) are a group of ophisthoglyphous colubrids in South and South East Asia known for gliding in the air. Of the five species of flying snakes, Sri Lankan flying snake, Chrysopelea taprobanica, is endemic to Sri Lanka. Authenticated bites and the venom characteristics of this uncommon snake remain unknown. We report the first authenticated case of C taprobanica bite, in which a 45-year-old woman had signs of mild local envenoming after the bite, with no evidence of systemic envenoming.

Keywords: chrysopelea; envenoming; flying snake; snakebite; taprobanica.