Severe head injury in Boiga melanota (BOULENGER, 1896) observed in the southeastern corner of Thailand

A record of a large Boiga melanota with a severe head injury is provided. It was found in a stream on a night trip in a cultivated area in Southeast Thailand in the southern part of the Narathiwat Province. The injury was in the left part of the head, just behind the left eye. A considerable portion of bone had been destroyed, the mouth could not close properly in the left side, and the left venom glands might well have been destroyed. The quadratomaxillary ligament and a mandibular muscle were probably also traumatized. There was no sign of infection, and the snake was fresh, aggressive and well-nourished. It is likely that the injury was the result of a human attack using an agricultural tool such as a hoe or sickle. It is judged that it might well have recovered fully and survived.

The venom of B. dendrophila s.l. contains three-finger toxins such as irditoxin, which are highly toxic to birds and reptiles but have little effect on mammals. It is concluded that even with only one venom gland the injured B. me-lanota has probably been able to easily kill birds and reptiles with its venom.

Severe injury in wild snakes having survived is seldom reported. A review of other published cases of injured wild snakes which havesurvived is made. Cases of wild snakes survi-ving severe injury are rarely reported. The published cases that exist are reviewed here. The injuries discussed appear to be considerably milder than the one described for Boiga melanota.