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Biology of Rattlesnakes Day One
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by Phobos on January 16, 2005
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Wow!! Lots of great information and science going one here. My knowledge about Rattlesnakes has been well streched just after one day.
Last night at the welcome recepiton many of the Authors of herp books were on hand to sign books and chat with attendees. I was very suprised, as well as very happy to Karl Betz who managed to obtain last minute leave to come up from San Diego. Other SHHS collegues present were Chris Harper & Brian Smith.
Very interesting talks were given on the the ability of RS's to Chemosense prey after bitten and their ability to track it. They can "scent lock", in that brief instant of contact with their victim, so they can track that one mouse to consume it, even into the next day if needed. They can tell the difference between a wounded mouse, a normal mouse or one that was envenomated. I knew they were good but that's crazy!!
This afternoon there were a series of talks on how adult ground squirrels are immune to RS venom and how the squirrels get in their face and harras them till they leave. The squirrels will actually KILL smaller RS's that try and hunt in their area. These squirrles with chew up RS sheddings and allpy it to their fur to "Mask their scent".
Just some of the excellent Snake science going on in the USA. If you want to read the abstracts (summary)here is the link:
http://www.roblee.com/rattlesnakes/
More news tomorrow...
Cheers!
Al
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RE: Biology of Rattlesnakes Day One
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by ALA_herp31 on January 16, 2005
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Hey Al, that really sounds interesting. I saw Dr. Bush from Venom ER, talking about the relationship between Squirrels and Rattlesnakes. He said the same thing, that they have found out , that these and other Pray Animals are building strong immunity’s to Rattler Venom. I also heard him and other TV herpers talking about Squirrels using shed skins to mask their sent. Strange how much more we have learned about these beautiful Animals. They are even more complex then we would ever dream huu? Ohhhh yeah, have fun, wish i could be there "darn it" "LOL".......Be safe, happy herping, Wally
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RE: Biology of Rattlesnakes Day One
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by emtnurse on January 17, 2005
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AMAZING, SIMPLY AMAZING. WISH I COULD HAVE BEENTHERE. SHARE MORE INFO AL WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE. BRYAN
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RE: Biology of Rattlesnakes Day One
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by Dadee on January 17, 2005
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Hey Al,
I also watched the Venom ER episode that talked about the ground squirrels and that one proteinase inhibitor that they are trying to locate in the squirrels' blood plasma. Have they made any strides in isolating this? One good question for Shawn if you happen across him.
Enjoy your stay and come back with some good info.
Cheers,
Matt
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RE: Biology of Rattlesnakes Day One
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by Phobos on January 17, 2005
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Hi:
Yes, there is more info on the squirrels inmmunity but Dr. Bush is not involved in that reserarch.
The squirrels can handle around 5 "Normal" Squirrel lethal doses of venom of C. v. oreganus. They also have some cross immunity to other Crotalids. This immunity is passed on the the pups during gestation and are immune at birth. However, the pups are still at risk for predation by rattlesnakes because their small body size and smaller blood volume does not protect them from large doses of venom.
Best,
Al
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