Of Snakes and Men
In June 2024, I traveled to Guinea (West Africa) as a photojournalist for the Asclepius Snakebite Foundation (ASF), documenting various angles of the local snakebite crisis.
According to WHO, snakebite is one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases. It is one of the most prominent examples of human-wildlife conflict, especially common in impoverished countries like Guinea. Additionally, new research is showing that climate change is shifting snake distributions and will continue to increase human-snake contact, exacerbating snakebite. Global warming is only expected to move snakes closer towards agricultural areas, increasing their contact with people and children.
I first wanted to highlight faces: faces of humans and of animals. Faces of pain, confusion, somberness, even death. These faces highlight parallels in suffering between people and venomous snakes, particularly when their worlds collide in violent ways. When people get bitten, snakes are killed.
I also wanted to showcase the incredible effort made by passionate herpetologists to study these under-researched animals. More research is necessary on the venom and ecology of snakes to better treat snakebite patients. In fact, organizations like ASF utilize the collaboration of doctors and herpetologists to effectively treat patients. One cannot treat snakebite without understanding the snake itself.
Ultimately, the relationship between snakes and humans is a complex one, as shown by the scientists, medical professionals, and patients in this series, each impacted by snakes in different ways.
This puff adder bit a boy and was subsequently killed by the boy’s family, its face now unrecognizable. Snakebite patients often bring the bodies of the snakes that bit them so doctors can identify the species and mitigate the symptoms accordingly.
The boy bitten by the puff adder was treated at ASF’s snakebite clinic. He required serious medical care and a blood transfusion.
Close-up of Psammophis elegans. The evolutionary reason for its 2 rear fangs is unknown.
The locals have learned to contact ASF, the nonprofit running the snakebite clinic, when they encounter what they believe to be a venomous snake. As soon as ASF got the call, local Guinean and visiting herpetologists rushed over to catch the snake.
The snake in the tree, Toxicodryas blandingii, expresses anger at being caught.
The Toxicodryas blandingii is bagged by herpetologists. Its venom was extracted before it was released in an area away from people.
Venom extraction of Toxicodryas blandingii.
Puff adder portrait. These snakes quite literally puff up when threatened.
Doctors inject antivenom into a baby. Snakebite victims are often young children.
A dead green mamba that bit a farmworker. This mamba was also brought to the snakebite clinic.
Snakes caught the night before. Scientists affectionately call snakes like this Little Black Snakes (LBS), as it is extremely hard to identify their exact species. While these snakes may look similar, the one on the left is venomous, while the one on the right isn’t. The exact species of the left LBS is still unknown.
A baby, bitten by a venomous snake earlier that day, cautiously watches as his doctor prepares to inject antivenom.
A beautiful gaboon viper, ASF’s first find in Guinea since their 6 years of operation. They are easily identified by the “horns” between their nostrils.
A Guinean herpetologist wrangles a massive black forest cobra. This cobra, Naja guineensis, was thought to be identical to 4 other cobra species until very recently. Snakes in Guinea are heavily under-researched and represent an exciting new frontier in the biological sciences.
Gaboon vipers camouflage incredibly well in leaf litter. Children and farmworkers often get bitten when they accidentally step on snakes like this in the field.
Medical professionals look over the boy bitten by the puff adder.
The strikingly iridescent scales of Naja guineensis.
Empty vials of antivenom sit outside the snakebite clinic, highlighting just how many patients are treated. Because Guinea lacks the infrastructure to create nation-wide public garbage systems, civilians have no choice but to dispose of their garbage outside.
This puff adder did not want to be caught. Its large retractable fangs are clearly visible.
Blood drips from a patient’s swollen leg. Swelling, bleeding, and blistering are common symptoms of hemotoxic snakebite.
Gaboon viper extraction. Its fangs were so large that its venom was extracted directly into a beaker (instead of regular capillary tubes).
Measuring out an LBS (previously shown in the water bottle). It was humanely euthanized and brought back to the States for further research.
Herpetologists from ASF extract venom from a wild West African Gaboon Viper, the first of its kind ever found by the organization in Guinea. Because venoms differ not just by species but also between individuals, more research is necessary to better understand the biochemistry of venoms and consequently treat patients more effectively. This particular specimen was found right by houses, and interestingly, research shows that this viper is one of 3 species expected to cover the most new habitat due to climate change. Perhaps ASF will find more of these vipers in Kindia with the escalation of climate change.
Psammophis elegans being laid out for measurement. This snake is mildly venomous, and its subtle red bite marks are visible on the herpetologist's index finger.
A venom extraction of a green mamba.
A bag of blood sitting on a patient’s bed, waiting for transfusion.
Venom collected in a tube. Snake venom is usually white or yellow. Although it may look innocuous, snake venom has the potential to cause paralysis, destroy cells and tissue, interfere with blood clotting, and more, depending on the species.
This patient’s condition was too serious to continue being treated at the small snakebite clinic—he was transported to a larger urban hospital with the help of ASF. Many in Guinea lack the funds or resources to afford proper care after snakebite.
Atractaspis, or stiletto snake, trying to burrow into the ground. They possess long fangs that can protrude independently to “stab” at prey.
Performing a venom extraction on Naja guineensis.
Venom of a young night adder pumps through capillary tubes.
Forest cobra portrait. Cobras have specialized ribs and muscles that can flare out when they feel threatened. It is also only possible for them to flare out their ribs because snakes do not have a sternum connecting them.
Herpetologists prepare to extract a gaboon viper.