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Originally Posted by WebSlave
Although I think most people would be willing to admit that some local populations of the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake MAY have some minor proportion of their venom as a neurotoxin, I think it is highly unlikely that there is any individual EDB, much less a population, that exhibits 100 percent neurotoxic effects and ZERO hemotoxic effects from a bite. I find it highly unlikely that any bite from ANY EDB that was not a dry bite would not exhibit any substantial tissue damage because of it.
Take a look at this website:
http://www.rattlesnakebite.org/rattlesnakepics.htm
THAT is the results of hemotoxic envenomation. Granted it is from a Western Diamondback, but I sincerely doubt a bite from an Eastern would be a substantially more kinder, gentler, experience to go through.
IMHO.......... |
Well obviously I owe Vinny D an apology as well. My humble apologies, Vinny!
When I was reading this, I was stunned. The implications are downright scary. Venoms being mutated in real time and not evolutionary lengths of time is a bit unsettling. If this is happening in rattlesnakes, why not in other venomous creatures such as bees, ants, and spiders? In effect, any bite or sting could be a whole different ball of wax then what is typical and usual.
Pretty frightening stuff, actually. Especially considering the assult of the Africanized bees on America.