How venomous is a western diamondback rattlesnake?
The average venom yield per bite is usually between 250 and 350 mg, with a maximum of 700–800 mg. Severe envenomation is rare but possible, and can be lethal. Mortality rate of untreated bites is between 10 and 20%.
How fast can a western diamondback rattlesnake kill you?
Most deaths occur between 6 and 48 hours after the bite.
Are diamondback rattlesnakes aggressive?
Habitat and Behavior Feared as deadly and aggressive, diamondbacks are actually highly averse to human contact and only attack in defense. Most bites occur when humans taunt or try to capture or kill a rattlesnake. They can accurately strike at up to one-third their body length.
What is the largest rattlesnake in the world?
eastern diamondback rattlesnake
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest rattlesnake species and is one of the heaviest known species of venomous snake, with one specimen shot in 1946 measuring 2.4 m (7.8 ft) in length and weighing 15.4 kg (34 lb).
What state has the most rattlesnakes?
Rattlesnakes are large, venomous snakes that are found throughout North and South America. The greatest concentration of them is in the Southwestern United States and in Northern Mexico. Arizona is home to 13 species of rattler, more than any other state.
Can a western diamondback rattlesnake swim?
-Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes can be distinguished from most other rattlesnakes by a series of black and white bands just above their rattles. -Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes have been know to swim through water or climb a short distance into a tree when necessary to pursue prey.
Can diamondback rattlesnakes swim?
-The average length of an adult Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is 4 to 6 feet. -Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes have been know to swim through water or climb a short distance into a tree when necessary to pursue prey. -Like many rattlesnakes, these hibernate in groups in small caves or abandoned burrows.
How long do you have if a rattlesnake bites you?
You’ll begin to see symptoms immediately, but your symptoms will worsen over time. Ideally, you’ll reach medical help within 30 minutes of being bitten. If the bite is left untreated, your bodily functions will break down over a period of 2 or 3 days and the bite may result in severe organ damage or death.
What are the Predators of the western diamondback rattlesnake?
The western diamondback rattlesnake has many predators, including: hawks, bald eagles, owls, coyotes, foxes, roadrunners and other snakes. Is The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Dangerous To Humans? The western diamondback rattlesnake has a reputation for being the most aggressive rattlesnake.
What do Western diomonback rattlesnakes eat?
What they eat: The Western Diamondback eats small mammals such as chipmunks, prairie dogs, gophers, ground squirrels, rabbits, mice and rats. The snake will also eat birds within reach. In a matter of seconds, rattlesnakes can leave a fatal bite by injecting venom into its prey. Rattlesnakes swallow their prey whole, then digest as the food
Where in US can you find the western diamondback rattlesnake?
The western diamondback rattlesnake or Texas diamond-back (Crotalus atrox) is a venomous rattlesnake species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico . It is likely responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities in northern Mexico and the greatest number of snakebites in the U.S. [5] No subspecies are currently recognized.
What venom does the western diamondback rattlesnake have?
Western Diamondbacks, like most other rattlesnakes and other venomous snakes in the pit viper subfamily, have so-called hemotoxic venom.”Hemotoxic” means blood-damaging, but it turns out that the chemicals in the venom target all sorts of tissues, not just blood, so this name actually tends to upset nitpicky scientists who study snake venom.