What is Rettle snake ?

Rettle Snake

 

Over 8,000 people are biten by venomous snakes in the United States each year. On aver-age, fewer than 10 snakebite deaths are report ed. In fact more people die from wasp and bee stings than from snakebites. Nonetheless ven- omous snakes must be considered dangerous and even non-fatal bites can cause severe pain and long lasting tissue damage.

There are four species of venomous snakes in the United States. Three, the Copper- head, Water Moccasin and Rattlesnake, belong to a group known as pit vipers. They get this title due their highly specialized venom apparatus that include two long hinged fangs and a pair of extremely sensitive innervated pits that are located be- tween their eyes and nostrils. These pits are "heat detectors" used for hunting that . are so sensitive that blindfolded snakes have been able to accurately follow warm- blooded prey (e.g., rodents) from a distance of 6 feet!

Rattlesnakes are equipped for both day and night vision. They give birth to living, venomous young. There are many varieties in the U.S., the most predominant being:

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake; the most dangerous North American snake. Specimens have been captured as a large as 8-foot long and weighing 15 pounds. The snake's 3/4" fangs are capable of penetrating almost any boot. Fortunately this snake is relatively docile.

The Diamondback; a western rattlesnake that can become quite nasty when pro- voked. The Diamondback is responsible for most deaths due to snakebite in the U.S.

The Prairie Rattler; a smaller snake found in the great plains, also with a relatively nasty disposition. It is too small to be a fatal threat to a treated human, but horses and cattle bitten on the nose can die from the resulting swelling that blocks their air pass ages.

 

Pit vipers generaly injectlarge amounts ofyenom imnto unt Ung bite but oftenhmesalittle or no venom mto derensiYe bites. ntne p to 25% of pil viper bites in hunmans are non verOmousdr bites A provoked and angered snake, howerer might ot oi loat up to be quite yenomous,

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