Severe pain and local necrosis that required amputation of the bitten thumb are recorded consequences of a bite. Other symproms where difficulties when breathing and severe capillary damage. Without immediate and aggressive debridement of the bite site, the effects would have been worse, according to the attending physician. The bite victim - a healthy 40 year old man, weighing 90 kg - had to stay in hospital for a month. Antivenom is not available. Due to this severe bite we classify this Atractaspis species as very dangerous until further notice. Research needs to be done, if the observed necrotic effects are due to the venom composition.