New born rattlers

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

The "baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous then the adults" myth often permeates through the realm of snakebite stories, however is somewhat of a fallacy. The only truth to it is that in many cases the babies do not know when to withhold venom in a defensive bite. Adult rattlers often often inflict dry bites, not because their venom sacs are necessarily empty, but because a defensive bite isn't really supposed to "digest" a potential enemy! Adults, it appears, can control it. Why waste your predigestive saliva!? (please note that recharging venom banks does not take that long however!) Adults also have the capability of injecting larger amounts of venom (bigger venom sacs!).

[ssssnakeluvr]

cool photos!!!!! wish I could have venomous again.....would have to move out of Utah!!!! babies venom is as strong as adult, but they can't give as big a dose as adults...they can, on occasion, deliver dry bites....I know this for a fact....I was tagged by a 3 month old eastern massasauga....my fault too. was young and not too swift... I have had a number of gt basin rattlers also.

[anji1971]

Wow, Steven, the pics on that link are something else!!
What a hell of a mess............

[Loren]

The "baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous then the adults" myth often permeates through the realm of snakebite stories, however is somewhat of a fallacy. The only truth to it is that in many cases the babies do not know when to withhold venom in a defensive bite. Adult rattlers often often inflict dry bites, not because their venom sacs are necessarily empty, but because a defensive bite isn't really supposed to "digest" a potential enemy! Adults, it appears, can control it. Why waste your predigestive saliva!? (please note that recharging venom banks does not take that long however!) Adults also have the capability of injecting larger amounts of venom (bigger venom sacs!).

There are many different factors that affect the seriousness of a bite, to the point that a "less dangerous" snake could result in a far worse effect than a "very dangerous snake"... or the other way around.

The best quote I ever heard on tv sums it all up. "The most dangerous venomous snake is the one that bites you!"

[Stefan-A]

The "baby rattlesnakes are more dangerous then the adults" myth often permeates through the realm of snakebite stories, however is somewhat of a fallacy. The only truth to it is that in many cases the babies do not know when to withhold venom in a defensive bite.

I learned pretty recently, that that's also a fallacy. Apparently the babies know very well how to withhold venom (whether or not they do, is a different story) and the myth that the babies would be more dangerous, turns out to be true in some instances. Babies of at least some species of venomous snake can in fact have a more potent venom than the adults. What I knew from before, was that the venoms change in composition as the snake grows, but I didn't think that this myth, which had already been debunked once, would turn out to be true. But I don't know if it's true for rattlers.

James is going to declare this nonsense for sure.

[adamanteus]

James is going to declare this nonsense for sure.

No he isn't. The venom changes in certain snakes as they grow and their diet changes.
I believe the ability to instinctively choose between delivering a 'dry' bite or an envenomated bite is there from birth.
Even with these changes in mind, we have to remember that dead is dead.... The ones with the more potent venom don't kill you more dead than the others!

[Stefan-A]

Even with these changes in mind, we have to remember that dead is dead.... The ones with the more potent venom don't kill you more dead than the others!

And that's why I think "deadliest" is one of the funnier words. Like "bestest".

[beaniesmommy]

Oh hell no! That is all I can say after seeing those pictures.

[Steven@HumboldtHerps]

Thank you for the update. I wish open-mindedness were more prevalent on this forum sometimes. Stefan and James, I am always impressed by your responses.

I guess it really would depend on the species. I can see how venom would change (especially temporally b/n neonate & adult stages). A change in diet would alter it ontogenetically (You are what you eat!).

Bestestest advice: Don't get bitten by a venomous snake, no matter what its age!

Steve

[dashnu]

Interesting read guys. Good info. In my case I never need to worry about an arm as raw as the one in those photos. No venomous snakes in Maine.