Brief history of ophidiology and ophidism in Colombia
Abstract
This review traces the historical trajectory of ophidiology (the study of snakes) and ophidism (snakebite envenoming) within the Colombian context. Despite the profound cultural and scientific significance of the human–serpent relationship in the region, the relevant literature remains fragmented, with foundational historical works neither digitized nor readily accessible. To address this, we conducted a narrative review of primary sources spanning from the pre-Colombian era to the present. Our methodology involved sourcing material from specialized libraries, historical archives, personal collections and contemporary scientific databases. The analysis identifies and contextualizes pivotal contributions across distinct historical periods, from early archeological evidence and colonial accounts to foundational eighteenth-century works and the formalized scientific studies of the last two centuries. The review culminates by highlighting how modern Colombian research, including significant international collaborations, is now producing influential work on snake biology, venoms and envenoming that commands global attention.
Carlos A Cañas, Santiago Castaño-Valencia, Fernando Castro-Herrera, Brief history of ophidiology and ophidism in Colombia, Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2026;, trag051, https://doi.org/10.1093/trstmh/trag051