Snakes sometimes bite in self-defence if they are disturbed or provoked. Many different kinds of foreign (exotic) venomous snakes are kept in captivity in the UK and other European countries, sometimes illegally. Occasionally they bite their owners or others while being handled carelessly or when they escape from their cages.
Increasing numbers of UK residents also travel abroad to tropical countries, where there is a risk of being bitten by a foreign snake.
The only venomous snake that is found naturally in the wild in the UK is an adder. See the Health A-Z topic about Snake bites, adder for more information about this type of snake bite.
Some snakes are venomous and can inject venom (toxins produced by the snake) as they bite. A venomous snake may also bite without injecting any venom, called a ‘dry’ bite. A dry bite may cause:
- pain where the snake fangs break the skin
- anxiety
If a foreign snake injects venom through its bite it can cause more serious symptoms, including:
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting
- dizziness, fainting and shock
- paralysis of the muscles
See Snake bites - symptoms for more information.
How common are foreign snake bites?
Each year, fewer than 10 UK residents are bitten by foreign snakes, either captive ones kept in the country or while they are travelling abroad.
More than 75 different species of exotic venomous snakes are held by private snake collectors in the UK, both legally and illegally. These snakes are thought to be responsible for a handful of snake bites in the UK each year. Most cases involve the snake's owner.
Worldwide, there are around five million snake bites every year.
Outlook
Foreign snake bites are more often serious than UK adder bites. A UK citizen died of a black mamba bite in Africa in 2006, but there has been no death from an exotic snake bite in the UK since the 19th century.
Worldwide, there are around 100,000 deaths from snake bites and 300,000 amputations or other permanent disabilities every year. Most of these occur in parts of the world where access to emergency medical services is limited or non-existent.
In the developed world, emergency treatment with anti-venom medicine is usually successful in treating bites by even the most venomous of snakes. See Snake bites, foreign - treatment for more information.
