Death adders are found throughout most of mainland Australia and Papua New Guinea, but both bites and envenoming are uncommon. Prior to mechanical ventilation and antivenom mortality was approximately 50%.
- Acanthophis antarticus: Common death adder
- Acanthophis hawkei: Barkly tableland death adder
- Acanthophis laevis: Smooth scale death adder (PNG)
- Acanthophis pyrrhus: Desert death adder
- Acanthophis praelongus: Northern death adder
- Acanthophis rugosus: Rough scale death adder (PNG)
- Acanthophis wellsi : Pilbara death adder
References
- Currie BJ. Snakebite in tropical Australia: a prospective study in the “Top End” on the Northern Territory. Medical Journal of Australia 2004; 181:693-697.
- Lalloo DG, Trevett AJ, Black J et al Neurotoxocity, anticoagulant activity and evidence of rhabdomyolysis in patients bitten by death adders (acanthopis sp) in southern Papua New Guinea. Quarterly Journal of Medicine 1996; 89:25–35.
- Sutherland SK, Tibballs J. Australian animal toxins: the creatures, their toxins and care of the poisoned patient. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press, 2001
- Little M, Pereira P. Successful treatment of presumed death adder neurotoxicity using anticholinesterases. Emergency Medicine 2000; 12:241-245.
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