2. The Saw-Scaled Viper - Blood-Thinning Specialist
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) is a venomous viper that lives in parts of the Middle-East and Central Asia. It is the smallest member of the Big Four snakes the four species of snake that cause the most deaths annually. The mortality rate from their bites is about 20%, but due to the availability of the anti-venom, deaths are currently quite rare. The vipers potent venom has been such a medical problem that doctors have produced nine different antivenoms that target it. Within minutes of the bite, localised swelling and pain which later spread can be felt. Haemorrhage and coagulation defects follow closely, which may lead to hypovolemic shock. The most dangerous symptoms of envenomation are blood-clotting trouble and internal bleeding, which can lead to acute kidney failure. All in all, this doesn't sound very nice. However, the blood-thinning venom from this species is used to manufacture several drugs. Most of these drugs are anticoagulants, inhibitors of bone resorption and antiplatelets and help also deal with cardiovascular problems.
