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WARNING:
This
video contains extremely graphic content. Viewer
discretion is advised.
Diamondback
Rattlesnake Strike
Rattlesnakes
are indigenous to the Americas, and come in a variety of sizes,
colors, and toxicities. All rattlesnakes are poisonous,
although different species of rattlesnakes may have different
types of toxins. Some venomous snakes have toxins that
affect the muscular system, some affect the cardiovascular
system, others the central nervous system. Many venomous
snakes have toxins that are a combination of different venom
types.
The Diamondback rattlesnake is the largest rattler in the
world. Many also consider the eastern Diamondback to be
the most dangerous rattlesnake due to it's size and the amount
of venom that can be injected. However, there are many
criteria and factors to be considered when determining the
"most venomous" snake, and there is a good deal of
disagreement between researchers and scientists as to how they
should be catalogued.
Traditionally,
the most venomous snakes were determined by using an LD-50 test,
which is the amount of venom it takes to kill 50% of lab mice in
a research study.
This test is thankfully outdated and no longer used, as many
snakes inject more venom than others in a single bite, or the
venom is more toxic compared to other species, or the snake is
more frequently encountered by humans.
Regardless
of the species in question, you obviously would not want to get
bit by a rattlesnake. As for the eastern Diamondback, 60%
of bites are fatal. Snake venoms are fast-acting, and
cause excruciating pain. Once venom has been introduced
into the body, the appropriate species-specific antivenin is the
only treatment available. This is especially important
when dealing with exotic venomous species, as antivenin for
those types are not readily kept at hospitals and pharmacies in
the United States. Since rattlesnakes are native to the
US, there is a greater availability of antivenin in medical
facilities.
Non-fatal
rattlesnake bites may result in the loss of digits or a limb,
depending on the time and availability of medical
services. There will be a good deal of swelling,
discoloration, and more pain than you can imagine. Once
the venom has circulated throughout the body you can expect
shock, irregular heartbeat and blood pressure, unconsciousness,
as well as localized symptoms near the affected area.
Of
course, that's if you are a human. In the following
diamondback rattlesnake video you can see just how quickly the
strike occurs, and how fast the venom acts on a mouse. The
strike itself takes a fraction of a second. Within seconds from being bitten the mouse is in extreme pain and
distress, then goes into seizures
and convulsions, followed by respiratory and cardiac arrest. From bite to death
it all takes less than a minute.
Listen
up, people.... venomous snakes are not pets. They are
dangerous and deadly instruments of nature and that's where they
belong. Use caution if you come across a snake you can't
identify, but that doesn't mean you should kill it. Most
often they are non-aggressive and will only strike when
threatened or defensive. They are an important part of our
ecosystem and deserve to be left in the wild and alone.
Never
attempt to handle a venomous animal if you are not qualified and
trained to do so. The life you save may be your own.
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