The Bite / The Venom


Rattlesnake bites seem to be perceived, at least by the general public, as a largely fatal proposition. Actually, while the rattlesnake is a potentially deadly animal, statistics show that only about 3% of rattlesnake bites are fatal, these cases generally involving either A) multiple bites, B) small children, elderly or sickly individuals with frail health, or C) the extremely rare instance where a rattlesnake fang happens to strike and inject venom directly into a vein (you are far more likely to be struck by lightning). A good percentage of these bites occur when someone is intentionally handling a rattlesnake.

There are several rattlers, principally the South American variety, which are far more dangerous than their North American cousins, simply because of the type of venom they produce. Snake venom in general falls into two categories: hemolytic and neurotoxic. Hemolytic venoms have the particularly gruesome effect of breaking down the flesh. The blood vessels exposed to the venom lose their ability to contain the blood, the clotting effect is suppressed, and the flesh in the area fills with fluid and dies. In the case of a rattlesnake biting prey, this serves to begin and hasten the digestive process, and is similar in effect to the venom produced by spiders. Hemolytic venom also has the uncanny ability to suppress the immune response to bacterial infection. Thus, the bacteria present on a rattlesnake's teeth can multiply unchecked, further speeding the breakdown process. Victims of hemolytic snake bite die infrequently, but limb loss is a very real danger.

Neurotoxic rattlesnake venoms are similar to those produced by the Elapid family (cobras and coral snakes, for example). These venoms directly affect the brain and spinal ganglia, causing paralysis first of the voluntary musculature, and then respiration. The bite victim dies from asphyxia. North American rattlesnake venoms are largely hemolytic, although some species produce venoms with a combination of hemolytic and neurotoxic qualities. The South American rattlesnake C. durissus terrificus and its cousins, on the other hand, produce a principally neurotoxic venom, and are therefore far more life-threatening.

Another factor that contributes to the survivability of rattlesnake bites is the fact that in many cases little or no venom is injected, even though there may be full fang penetration. In other cases, a fang does not fully pierce the skin, or the venom injection is mistimed and winds up on the skin's surface or on/in the clothing rather than under the skin where it is effective.

There are quite a few ideas out there about how to cure a rattlesnake bite. You will even find a link below advocating the use of DC electric shock! The authorities seem to agree on the following:

Snakebite Links