On the Acts of the Apostles

Vipers

When Paul was on the island of Malta, he was bit by a viper. Besides knowing that it was a snake and that his survival was miraculous, I didn't know much about it. Apparently much of this is common knowledge, but since I didn't know all of it, here it is:

Vipers are venemous snacks with hinged fangs. They are also ovoviviperous. The the word "viper" is derived from Latin vivo = "I live" and pario = "I give birth". The venom is full of proteases which destroy the proteins, disrupting the blood clotting process. Harm is cause because of the drop in blood pressure.

Their bites are always painful, and, even when treated, leave nasty scars. In some cases still the limb must be amputated.

The type Paul was most likely bitten by was a type of pit viper, the kind most common in that region. This is the same family as Rattlesnakes and Moccasin snakes are in -- quite dangerous as a whole.