Crotalus horridus atricaudatus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Canebrake rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus atricaudatus
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| Crotalus horridus atricaudatus Latreille, 1802 |
Common names: canebrake rattlesnake.
Crotalus horridus atricaudatus is a venomous rattlesnake subspecies that is currently considered invalid. Instead, this name is listed as a junior synonym for C. horridus.[1] It is found in the eastern half of the United States, as far west as the states of Nebraska and Texas.
Contents |
[edit] Description
Both subspecies of C. horridus share physical characterisics of length and shape but differ slightly in coloration. C. h. atricaudatus is generally distinguished by a brown stripe that runs down the middle of the its back. It is typically overall a gold-brown in color, fading to lighter on the underside, with black crossbanding. Its tail end darkens to become all black, leading to the colloquial name of "velvet tail" rattlesnake.
Like other rattlesnakes, the canebrake has a rattle composed of keratin. Even when first born, they have a tiny nub of a rattle called a button. Each time the snake sheds its skin, it adds a new segment to the rattle. A snake can shed its skin several times per year, depending on its overall health and growth rate, and the rattle can break off and have to start anew, so the length of a rattlesnake's rattle is not an accurate measure of the animal's age.
[edit] Venom
Canebrake venom is primarily hemotoxic in action, causing swelling, tissue damage, and necrosis, but scientists have isolated localities of canebrakes which have a significant neurotoxic component to their venom, which attacks the circulatory and nervous system.[2] As other vipers, they are capable of delivering what is called a "dry bite", where no venom is injected at all, but any bite from a venomous snake should be considered serious and immediate medical attention sought as the effects of the venom may not be immediately felt. In 1993, herpetologist Mark O'Shea was bitten by a canebrake rattlesnake and nearly died.[3] Savage Laboratories in Melville, New York manufactures the antivenin CroFab, which, while not species specific for C. horridus, can be used to treat envenomations from them.
[edit] Conservation status
The canebrake rattlesnake is listed as a threatened species in the state of Texas. It is listed as an endangered species in Virginia.
[edit] Taxonomy
There is much debate among taxonomists as to the validity of the subspecies.[4] ITIS, however, currently regards this subspecies as invalid and lists it as a junior synonym for C. horridus.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] Cited references
- ^ a b Crotalus horridus atricaudatus (TSN 174307). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 27 September 2006.
- ^ Little River Research: Venom Research. Retrieved on May 3, 2006.
- ^ Official Mark O'Shea Website: Nemesis. Retrieved on May 3, 2006.
- ^ Venomous Reptiles: Validity of C. h. atricaudatus by Chad Minter. Retrieved on May 3, 2006.
