Baby rattler pics for Tim and Julie

[Vanan]

Ok so there were only a couple worthy of mention. The pics that is. We just saw so many babies that it would have been ridiculous trying to photograph them all. Besides, I was focusing more on the bulls!

This is the typical coloration for baby rattlers. They tend to be more red than their older brethren. Damn difficult trying to tell myself that its not a baby hognose though!
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/137rattlerbaby1.jpg">

This one shows the relative size of a baby. This lil bugger though, has less red than usual. Note the swollen belly.
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/137rattlerbaby2.jpg">

[TheRedDragon]

They so cute. Great pics Vanan!

[enso]

Just grab them Vanan! You'll know soon enough. =P
Again, nice pictures.

[dank7oo]

LOL - that is too cool ..

[Clownfishie]

Wow, what little cuties!

[jay76]

Neat pictures! Any problems getting your money back?

[Vanan]

jay76, the lil rattler proceed to call his buddies and they ganged up on me and ended up keeping the toonie.

[Neo]

how venomous are babies compared to adults?

[Vanan]

Haven't read anything specific to your question Neo. Especially since C. viridis isn't as researched much as the Diamondbacks. Although I'm sure there's info out there.

I'm sure the venom's hemotoxic, just like the adults. Maybe a lower yield. Not sure what the effects would be though.

Hmm, thanks for that question, definitely something to find out.

[Tim and Julie B]

Wow those are great pics as usual. They are very different then what I was expecting in terms of color and pattern. Those are sweet. Thanks

[enso]

I belive the potency is almost if not exactly the same but like Vanan said the yeild is quite a bit less. I personally know of only one snake thats venom changes from a neonate to an adult. The Cantil. This isn't a change in potency but a change in chemistry. They start eating small frogs and lizards and as they grow the venom changes with their choice of prey (rodents). All the other literature suggests that neonate venom is as potent as the adult snake, just less of it.

[Scales Zoo]

The venom yield in neonates and youngsters is less than that of an adult, but the young ines will envenomate every time they bite. Adult rattlers seem to have the ability to conserve venom, and deliver a "dry" defensive bite. We only know this from talking to a couple people who have been bitten, but not envenomated. One was the fuel truck driver, who stepped out of the truck onto a rattler. He was unable to avoid the snake when he saw it, and it did strike and bite. He noticed 2 small punctures on his shin, but no swelling or uncomfortable sensation at all. We determined the snake may have been giving a warning. A researcher who works with rattlers of several species said it is not unusual for an adult to conserve venom when they bite in defense, as a human is too big to eat, the bite will be more defensive (at least the first one) if you are bitten by accident - stepping on one, or surprising a sleeping snake. Should you pick one up, and molest it in any way, you are going to get hit, and they will likely give you a well deserved full blown shot of venom.

[JD@reptiles]

hey vanan, heres the shot i got from that second little guy

[Vanan]

Nice closeup Jordie!

[JD@reptiles]

thanks , yours aren't bad either