Our Herpetology department, headed by herpetologist David Marti, has transferred a moss viper (Pothrobotrops mangshanensis) to a clinic specialised in exotic animal operations in Valencia to be operated on five of its fangs. After the operation, the snake is recovering satisfactorily. For the time being, oral cleanings are still being carried out to ensure a full recovery.

Seven years ago, a pair of moss vipers arrived at Terra Natura Benidorm as part of the European conservation programme Stud-book, which is directed and coordinated by the EAZA. This is an endangered species, because there are very few specimens in their natural habitat, which is traditionally located in a remote area in the peaks of Mount Mag in China.

Two months ago, herpetologists detected a small swelling in the lower part of the snake’s mouth. Upon discovery, the veterinary team carried out an examination and cultures to determine the source of the inflammation. Once the results of the veterinary study were obtained, a course of antibiotics was administered.

As David Marti explained, “this process is risky and laborious, because the snake has to be introduced through a tube in order to avoid possible bites and the snake has to be pricked every three days for a month and a half to administer the antibiotic”.

Thanks to this first treatment, the abscess did not go any further, but it was still necessary to carry out an operation to finally extract five fangs that had not come out naturally from the snake’s mouth. The operation was performed by the prestigious veterinary surgeon Edgar Wefer from the Vivaria clinic in Valencia, who specialises in the treatment of exotic animals and has extensive experience in the treatment of venomous snakes.

Our Terra Natura Benidorm team travelled to the Valencia clinic to operate on the snake. After anaesthetising the snake, five loose fangs were found to be encapsulated in the mouth mucosa. The tissue was cut to remove them as they prevented the snake from closing its mouth properly. Without this intervention, the snake could have died.

Snakes naturally shed their fangs throughout their lives. This action allows them to renew their teeth according to their growth rate, but if there is a problem with the shedding of the teeth, it can lead to infections in the snake’s mouth.