The Most Dangerous Snake in the USA? Rattlesnake Study Provides Clue

[findi]

Hi, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m a herpetologist, zoologist, and book author, recently retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over 20 years with the Bronx Zoo.
I’ve spent decades working with venomous snakes, setting-up snakebite protocols in zoos, and responding to snakebite emergencies. Today, I’m sometimes criticized for my strong stand against the keeping venomous snakes in private collections. But I have learned that, even under the best of circumstances, treatment can be hampered by gaps in our knowledge. For example, we know that the chemical characteristics of venom vary over the ranges of certain species. This can affect treatment, and, as we’ll see below, may mean the difference between life and death for a victim. In fact, the venom of some Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes is so unique that it is unaffected by the antivenin currently in use! Are they the most dangerous snake in the USA? Read the rest of this article here http://bit.ly/NC7SG8
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj and Facebook http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: http://bitly.com/LC8Lbp

Best Regards, Frank

 

[Smokehound714]

It's due to the arms-race between california ground-squirrels and the same species mentioned above

The ground-squirrels have developed a strong resistance to the venom, and will even deliberately entice a rattler to strike them, often enduring several direct hits.

As a result, the venom is becoming stronger in response. Oh god evolution is beautiful.

 

[The Snark]

It's due to the arms-race between california ground-squirrels and the same species mentioned above

The ground-squirrels have developed a strong resistance to the venom, and will even deliberately entice a rattler to strike them, often enduring several direct hits.

As a result, the venom is becoming stronger in response. Oh god evolution is beautiful.

References please?

 

[findi]

It's due to the arms-race between california ground-squirrels and the same species mentioned above

The ground-squirrels have developed a strong resistance to the venom, and will even deliberately entice a rattler to strike them, often enduring several direct hits.

As a result, the venom is becoming stronger in response. Oh god evolution is beautiful.

Hi, Thanks...the ground squirrel example is a great one...and as I recall one of the first clear examples of this type of situation documented, at least among rattlesnakes. The article did not mention ground squirrels specifically...S. Pacific rattlers have a wide range...I'm not sure if that population overlaps w/C. ground squirrels. Similar scenario with Timber Rattler, it appears, although less studied...best, Frank

 

[ShredderEmp]

Some salamanders and frogs have the same thing going on between them too.

 

[findi]

Some salamanders and frogs have the same thing going on between them too.

Yes, thanks..an amazing phenomenon, found among all groups and in many forms...frogs and katydids that alter the pitch of their calls so as to be less audible to predatory bats yet still attract females, while bats change their foraging strategies in response; Pacific garter snakes that have evolved resistance the to the toxins of the Rough skinned newts upon which they feed - but in doing so they suffer some damage, i.e. slowed reflexes, which leaves them open to predation - and billions of others waiting to be discovered! best, Frank

 

[ShredderEmp]

Oh yea. It was newts and garter snakes. I was watching a show on that. The frog ate the newt, died, and the newt crawled right back out.

 

[findi]

Oh yea. It was newts and garter snakes. I was watching a show on that. The frog ate the newt, died, and the newt crawled right back out.

There have been several instances where people have died after swallowing various newts; I observed a huge marine toad die seconds after swallowing an eastern red-spotted newt; skin toxins of some are being studied for medicinal use; I visited an interesting related exhibit at the AMNH just yesterday: http://www.amnh.org/explore/news-blogs/news-posts/fall-s-special-exhibition-is-the-power-of-poison best, Frank

 

[The Snark]

As I understand it, the Russell's and Saw scale vipers have a similar venom modification going. Bearing both a neuro and a hemo toxin with the hemo predominant in colder climes as it's range into southern Tibet to aid digestion and neuro in hotter regions of India, Burma and Thailand to take the prey down faster.

With the Southern western rattler, they range from sage brush country where the brush is too thick to walk through around Tehachapi to sand dunes near the Salton Sea. Extreme environments begat variations in venom as prey changes from abundant to very scarce.

 

[findi]

As I understand it, the Russell's and Saw scale vipers have a similar venom modification going. Bearing both a neuro and a hemo toxin with the hemo predominant in colder climes as it's range into southern Tibet to aid digestion and neuro in hotter regions of India, Burma and Thailand to take the prey down faster.

With the Southern western rattler, they range from sage brush country where the brush is too thick to walk through around Tehachapi to sand dunes near the Salton Sea. Extreme environments begat variations in venom as prey changes from abundant to very scarce.

Thanks for that on the vipers....I've not read anything recently, but I wouldn't be surprised, will look into it, best,. Frank

 

[The Snark]

Thanks for that on the vipers....I've not read anything recently, but I wouldn't be surprised, will look into it, best,. Frank

If you get some references on that, could you post them? I haven't been able to find the articles I read.

 

[findi]

If you get some references on that, could you post them? I haven't been able to find the articles I read.

Sure...can't say when though, crazed with work but will keep in mind, best, frank