Do Asps Burn or Sting?

The Puss Caterpillar

• The teardrop shaped puss caterpillar grows to about 1 inch long and is covered with thick tan or grayish white hairs within which are shorter spines that discharge venom. The asp is found in shade trees and shrubbery around homes, schools and parks. If the caterpillar is handled, the venomous spines stick into the skin and cause a terrible burning sensation and a rash; it seems that the puss caterpillar both burns and stings. An intense throbbing pain happens at once and stings on the arm might result in pain in the armpit region. Blood colored spots may develop at the site of the sting. The symptoms of sensitive people can include headache, nausea, vomiting, intense stomach pain, swollen lymph glands and even shock or respiratory distress. However, with most people the pain goes away within an hour and the spots disappear in a day or so. But if one has had a large dose of venom, it may take five days for the symptoms to leave.

First Aid

• An ice pack should be put at the site of the sting and oral antihistamines can help relieve the itching and burning. If the spines are in the flesh cellophane tape can help strip them away. If the victim has a real allergic reaction medical attention should be sought immediately.

Snakes: The Horned Asp and Asp Viper

• The horned asp is found in the deserts of North Africa and Arabia and is quite common in Egypt -- this was probably the asp that killed Cleopatra. It is rarely over 2feet long. The horned asp lives in the desert and moves over the sand by side-winding. The eyes are directed upward, so the snake can see even when it's buried in sand. Most horned asps have a modified scale over each eye that looks rather like a devil's horn. The asp viper is a pretty snake that lives in Europe from the Balkans to Italy, Germany and France. It also grows to only 2 feet long, though females may be larger than males, especially when they're pregnant. The asp viper likes to bury itself in sand or soft soil until only its eye and nose are visible. It might be active during the day or night and eats lizards, small birds and small mammals. It mates in early to mid spring and the female gives birth to about 10 young after a three-month gestation.

Defense

• The horned asp is fairly docile unless it's provoked or mishandled. It will make a hissing and crackling sound by rubbing its coils, which it does before striking. Though the horned asp is fairly common in the Sahara, few humans are bitten because of the inhospitable places where it lives. Its venom is cytotoxic, which means it affects the cell walls. The bites can cause swelling, nausea, hemorrhaging, vomiting, necrosis and hematuria, or blood in the urine. The bites should be treated immediately, and antivenin should be applied if necessary. The asp viper will hiss loudly if it's disturbed and then strike. Usually they don't use their fangs and deliver a "dry bite." But if it does inject venom, medical attention must be had immediately, for the bite can kill people who are weak or sensitive. The bites are painful and cause blistering, hemorrhaging and necrosis around the wound.