Quote:
Originally Posted by j_dunlavy
Here in northern California I have seen more Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes while on hikes, camping, etc, than I can count.
One thing that troubles me is that many people do not realize just how devastating a rattlesnake bite can be.
I knew a guy about 15+ years ago who was keeping a northern pacific rattlesnake he caught (he only kept lizards prior to that); he thought he could hold it one day and guess what... hospital for almost a month and his hand never fully recovered. He is fortunate enough to have his hand, even though some of his fingers no longer work.
Most people are not qualified or competent enough to work with venomous, and while I feel keeping venomous snakes should be allowed to be kept in private collections, I also agree with a permit/mentor system to keep them in the hands of the experienced and qualified. The above story is a perfect example of that.
The Northern Pacific Rattlesnake may very well have similar venom action where found in similar rock environments, like Castle Crags (north of Lake Shasta). Either way, the bite would be pretty nasty.
Great read, Thanks Frank.
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Hi,
Thanks for the kind words. Yes, its a common misconception - "If I get the antivenin, I'll be fine"; ...permanent nerve damage, amputations, muscle tissue loss and similar are very common. That attitude was a real problem here in NYC, as many owners knew that Jacobi Hospital was a major treatment center with specialists, and that Bx Zoo staff, I included, were on call to ID snakes, transport antivenin via police chopper or car, etc...but easier said than done, even if a bite at a "convenient" time and place!
But the real problem, and I say this after 30+ years operating and setting up snakebite response systems for zoos, and consulting with very wealthy private individuals, is that private owners cannot adequately prepare for a snakebite in a way that will assure appropriate treatment; they can lessen the risk, but that's all.
Re wealthy owners...one such fellow here in NY, north of NYC, had a private chopper on call, and used it after 2 of his 5 bites; he also tried grabbing an electrified cattle fence during a rainstorm (after a bite) so as to "de-nature" the venom - he succeeded in knocking himself out and de-naturing his blood, which, as a doctor described it "wasn't really blood any more"!!
Best, frank