A) Speckled rattlesnake
(3) photos of Southwestern speckled rattlesnake, Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus
Photo credits: J. Stoklosa, G. Nafis, G.Nafis
The speckled rattlesnake is a large rattlesnake, found mainly in rocky areas in the southern deserts and south coast. It is identified by its saddled pattern that appears slightly faded. Their color changes to match environment. Speckled rattlesnakes are active day and night. --californiaherps.com
You should remember: unless you are an expert, using the snake's color or pattern is NOT always a reliable method of identification. Looking for the characteristic rattle on the tail is a good method, but sometimes these rattles are lost. Rattlesnakes do have skinny necks in proportion to their triangular or arrow-shaped head. This is true only of snakes native to California and does not apply to exotic snakes or snakes imported into California from elsewhere. While it used to be ideal to be able to correctly identify the species of rattlesnake involved in a bite, this is no longer required information for medical treatment in the United States. Read the following information explaining this from Desert USA, 2007:
Rattlesnake ID/Medical Treatment
Symptoms of a rattlesnake bite
First Aid for rattlesnake bites
It is no longer necessary to learn to identify a venomous snake in the event you are bitten by one. True, the venom in rattlesnake species varies but there are no longer different treatments for the bites of rattlesnakes. There are only two types of venomous snakes in the USA, both of which exist in the Sonoran Desert. The two types are Vipers, to which family all rattlesnakes belong, and the Coral Snakes, which are easily identifiable by the red, yellow and black bands which go all around the body and the small head.
Some professionals recommend that the snake be killed and brought into the hospital with the victim for identification. This is, however, a controversial recommendation and not supported by all medical professionals due to the timing and danger of killing the snake once an individual has been bitten. If you do kill a rattlesnake, be very careful. Do not attempt to kill the snake if it puts you or someone else at risk of being bitten. Even after a rattlesnake is killed, the snake's head is still capable of biting and injecting venom, so be VERY careful.
Medical Treatment
Snake identification no longer important.
There are many different types of venomous snakes and each has a different type of venom. Snake identification is important and useful to the medical professional who will treat the victim, but only as far as the family of the snake goes here in the USA.
There was an antivenin which was derived from the antibodies in a horse's blood serum when the animal was injected with snake venom. Some patients developed serious allergic reactions to the antivenin, therefore patients treated with the antivenin needed to be monitored closely. Now, there is only one type of antivenin derived from sheep serum and the problem of anaphylaxis and allergy to horse serum no longer exists. Only 2-3% of people react badly to the new anti-venin whereas about 20% of patients reacted badly to the horse serum. Cro-fab is the antivenin used for all vipers, no matter if it is a Rattler, a Copperhead or a Water Mocassin. This antivenin works equally well for all viper bites because of the unique way in which the product is formed.
All the Coral Snakes in the USA are easily identifiable (see above) and easily differentiated from any viper. Therefore, treatment for an Elapid bite is indicated. Nobody has ever died from the bite of an Arizona Coral Snake (Micruroides e. euryxanthus).
Symptoms of a Rattlesnake Bite [back to list]
- One or two puncture marks
- Pain, tingling or burning at the area of the bite
- Swelling at the area of the bite
- Bruising and discoloration at the site of the bite
- Numbness
- Nausea, weakness and lightheadedness.
- Difficulty breathing
First Aid for Snakebites
(This first aid for snakebites information was provided by Desert USA website, who cites the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Red Cross as the source for first aid steps)
According to the American Red Cross, these steps should be taken:
- Wash the bite with clean water and soap.
- Immobilize the bitten area and keep it lower than the heart.
- If the bite is on the hand or arm remove any rings, watches or tight clothing.
- Get medical help immediately.
Most bites don't occur in isolated situations where the victim may be a long distance from medical help. Some medical professionals, along with the American Red Cross, cautiously recommend two other measures:
- If a victim is unable to reach medical care within 30 minutes, a bandage, wrapped two to four inches above the bite, may help slow venom. The bandage should not cut off blood flow from a vein or artery. A good rule of thumb is to make the band loose enough that a finger can slip under it.
- A suction device may be placed over the bite to help draw venom out of the wound without making cuts. Suction instruments often are included in commercial snakebite kits.
How NOT to Treat a Snakebite [back to list]
Snakebite first aid methods are not always agreed upon by U.S. medical professionals, but they are nearly unanimous in their views of what NOT to do.
- NO ice or any other type of cooling on the bite. Research has shown this to be potentially harmful.
- NO tourniquets. This cuts blood flow completely and may result in loss of the affected limb.
- NO electric shock. This method is under study and has yet to be proven effective. It could harm the victim.
- NO incisions in the wound. Such measures have not been proven useful and may cause further injury.
How To Avoid Rattlesnakes [back to list]
- Walk or hike in areas where the ground is clear, so you can see where you step or reach with your hands.
- Use a walking stick to rustle the shrubs along the side of the trail to alert snakes and other animals of your presence.
- Wear protective clothing such as long heavy pants and high boots.
- Wear gloves when using your hands to move rocks or brush.
- Watch where you step, and never put your hands in areas where you cannot see.
- Ledges, cracks or holes are common areas where rattlesnakes can be found resting.
The procedure for treatment of venomous snakebites is often controversial, even within the medical profession. In all cases contact medical help immediately if treatment is needed.
--Directly sourced from DesertUSA.com
You might want to visit http://www.californiaherps.com/identification/snakesid/rattlesnakes.html for photos of California species of rattlesnakes. (Clicking links will take you out of the Caliso Learning website).