Puzzling New Venom Strain Found In Southern California Rattlers

An alarming new strain of super-toxic venom has been reported in California. Ordinarily this neurotoxic venom has only been associated with the Mojave Green rattlesnake, a snake usually found in desert and high desert terrain. According to Richard Dart, director of the Rocky Mt. Poison and Drug Center, the Southern Pacific Rattlesnake appears to be packing a neurotoxic whallop of a bite these days.

I am reminded of locals in the Cajon Pass area of San Bernardino County--talkative folk who have reported seeing the Mojave Green and the Southern Pacific mating. Is this possible? As ghastly as the prospect seems, it is not only possible, but a logical explanation according to Richard Dart. Other explanations include, weakening immune systems among snake bite victims (due to toxins in the air) or latent genes emerging from the Southern Pacific Rattlers. Other scientists have speculated that the Southern Pacific, due to its nature, is not killed as often as more visible and "noisy" rattlers, thus allowing the species to move into a niche that would incease their venom potential.

The range of the dreaded Southern Pacific is shown in the first photo, in green. It includes areas such as Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and even Catalina Island.

Dr. Sean Bush of Loma Linda University Hospital, is a local celebrity, and known as the "snake bite doctor." He has concluded that the majority of snake bites in California are due to the Southern Pacific (a sub species of the Western Diamondback).He, too, has reported far more neurological symptoms in snake bite victims than ever before. The implication is--be safer than ever before when hiking or camping, and keep both eyes glued to the trail and shrubbery.

Neurotoxic venom causes rapid respiratory arrest, seizures, fainting and other disabling symptoms. It is said to be ten times more potent than regular snake venom. If a species with a range such as the Southern Pacific is now producing such neurotoxic strains, it behooves us to be especially aware and alert. As to why this is occurring, explanations vary, and are rooted in mystery.