Here's a real bad bite....

The Banded Rock Rattlesnake


I've always prided myself on my knowledge of various dangerous animals, particularly my knowledge of North American reptiles. I've been a huge fan of nature shows as long as I can remember. Last night I was watching The Jeff Corwin Experience. Jeff introduced me to a type of Rattlesnake found in the high country mostly south Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.

The Banded Rock Rattlesnake differs from most other types of Rattlesnakes due to one important little issue, venom. Rattlesnake venom is usually a hemotoxin which means that it affects the blood stream. The hemotoxic venom breaks down the body's red blood cells and disrupts blood clotting. This often causes necrosis. This is the most common venom among pit vipers, IE: Any type of Rattlesnake, Water Moccasin, Copperhead, and vipers from foreign countries. The Banded Rock and I should also mention, the Mojave Rattlesnake have not only hemotoxins in their venom, but neurotoxins as well. Neurotoxins affect the body's nerve cells often resulting in paralysis which can set in rather quickly. This is the type of venom found with Cobras, Coral snakes, and various other species. This makes these two types of Rattlers throw a pretty darn nasty punch. Any type of snake bite is bad whether it be neurotoxic or hemotoxic, but both...ehhh, it just doesn't sound good to me.

So, in conclusion, if you're out hiking pretty much anywhere, but especially in the high country of south Texas, Arizona, or New Mexico be on the look out.

-S