What predators does the eastern diamondback rattlesnake have?

Answer 1

Rattlesnakes, a kind of viper, have a very complex venom. Mostly, rattlesnake venom is a somatic toxin, which means it's not very neurotoxic, but instead attacks a lot of systems in the body.

The toxin contains enzymes that denature proteins and destroy collagen (a connective tissue) in a process that has similarity to digestion. Also, a large part of the toxin includes cellular destroyers which cause apoptosis (cellular self-destruction) and lysis (blood cell destruction). There is some neurotoxic effect in that it also contains acetylcholinesterase (ACE) that act to "turn off" straited muscles (like your arm or leg) and prevent turning on smooth muscles (like your blood vessels and heart).

There are many components and processes in viper herpetoxin that we don't understand yet.

As bad as all this sounds, very few rattlesnake bites result in a fatality, although tissue destruction (necrosis) is not uncommon in bites where toxin is delivered. About 20% of all Rattlesnake bites in America are "dry bites" in which no toxin is delivered.

It appears that the determinant factor that limits the amount of damage done in envenomating bites is the amount of time between the envenomation and medical (not first aid) treatment.

Answer 2

The Rattlesnake venom is highly Hemotoxic. The venom travels through the bloodstream, destroying tissue and causing swelling, internal bleeding and intense pain. Some subspecies also contain a neurotoxic component in their venom that may cause paralysis. Rattlesnake bites are rarely fatal to adult humans. If an anti-venom treatment is given within the first 1-2 hours, the probability of recovery is nearly 99%.

Answer 3

Young Rattlesnakes (less than 2 years old) are heavily preyed upon by numerous species like Ravens, Crows, Raccoons, Coyotes, Weasels etc. Even Adult Rattlesnakes are known to cannibalize youngsters. Adolescent Rattlesnakes (above 2 years) are preyed upon by larger predators like Eagles, Hawks, Badgers, Kingsnakes etc. Adult Rattle snakes have only one known predator the "Kingsnake" which is a constrictor. It is immune to the venom of Rattlesnakes and other Vipers and consumes them as a part of its natural diet.

Answer 4

General types of snake venom.

1.) Neurotoxins that attack the nervous system resulting in paralysis of the respiratory system. Cobras, mambas, boomslangs and coral snakes are examples.

2.) Cytotoxins which attack tissues, especially the blood. Some cause the blood to lose the ability to coagulate while others cause coagulation. Some attack heart tissues and other muscle tissues. Most vipers, such as rattlesnakes, have cytotoxins. Some cytotoxins are basically digestive enzymes which cause massive tissue damage by 'digesting' any tissue it contacts.

The Mojave rattlesnake, especially those found in southern Arizona, contain both neurotoxic and cytotoxic components making it a particularly dangerous snake.

Answer 5

That is almost impossible to answer. Frequently a rattlesnake will give a warning strike and not inject venom, particularly if the target is something as large as a human that could not be considered as food. They only inject venom in cases where they feel quite threatened.

Answer 6

the venom it has is somatic toxin (means its not very neurotoxic).

Answer 7

Yes it does ! It'a a very potent toxin too !

Answer 8

The venom yield of Crotalus adamanteus is typically 400-450 mg. A lethal dose for humans is around 150mg !

Answer 9

No, it does not have poison but it does have venom.

Answer 10

It depends on the species. All are strongly hemotoxic but some species, such as the Mojave rattlesnake, also have a neurotoxic component.