Venom Extraction - Crotalus exsul (ruber)

A venom extraction on Red Diamnondback Rattlesnakes [Red Diamond Rattlesnake] (Crotalus exsul =ruber*) shows a strong correlation between duration of bite and quantity of venom injected for defensive bites. The quantity of venom expended and rate of venom expulsion are also positively correlated with snake size. Moreover, during a single extraction, there is considerable variation in venom flow between right and left fangs and between successive pulses delivered by the same fang, suggesting that the snake can control venom expulsion independent of target properties, it's not a constant amount "each time".
*{The previously used name ruber means "red," which is quite descriptive of individuals from the northern portion of their range. Recently, it was determined that the two species (C. ruber and C. exsul) represented only a single form. The name exsul is choosen because it was the first of the two to be described (it has priority)}.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• venom
• extraction
• snake
• milking
• rattlesnake
• viper
• toxic
• hemotoxic
• neurotoxic
• expulsion
• collection
• injection
• bite

[cavenman]

I meant to ask what kind of cages do you use to keep your rattlesnakes in.

[VenomExtraction]

Coustom Reptile Cage:

- 4' x 30" x 12" & 6' x 30" x 12"

- sliding glass doors on an aluminum track

[drewman1990x]

What kind of facilities do you have for your collection of rattlesnakes?

[VenomExtraction]

Research & Anti-Venom Production

[ravillatucson]

Hello. I don't mean to be a wet blanket or anything, but surely there's an easier/faster and less stressful way of tubing rattlesnakes. In my experience, placing the snake in a box while holding the tube over the head and then tapping the tail with a hook usually elicits a forward response by the snake. The corners of the box help in many respects. Once you get the hang of this, it's done quite fast. My best to your project.

Robert Villa

Tucson, AZ