[KevinB]

xzins, I do believe we've conversed before, but I don't remember the context.

I do understand your position. Obama is just so bad that I can't stand the thought of another four years. I don't think the country can take it. To use your example, if give the choice between a copperhead bite and a rattlesnake bite where not being bitten at all is not an option, I would take the copperhead bite every time. Copperheads are far less poisonous than rattlers and there is a much better chance of survival. Unfortunately, not getting bitten by either is not an option this election cycle.

[xzins]

I thought you’d be as interested in this as I was:

http://www.venomdoc.com/LD50/ld50sc.html

and then go to the discussion page:

http://www.venomdoc.com/LD50/LD50men.html

As near as I can figure, the numbers in the chart represent the size of dose that is fatal with a lab mouse. Then they construct the chart.

I went to subcutaneous, because that seems to cover the majority of bites.

Good comment, Kevin...fun research. :>)

[xzins]

Here's another article on the subject:

But often escape is not possible, so most snakes hold their ground, ready to defend themselves. A difference between copperheads and the other species appears in the next phase, when they are approached. Most rattlesnakes vibrate their tails and most cottonmouths sit with mouth open when a human comes near. Even some non-venomous snakes vibrate their tails. These displays are merely warnings not to tread on them. They are not aggressive attack measures. The snakes just want us to leave them alone.

So far, the dozens of cottonmouths Dr. Gibbons stood beside have made threat displays but have not bitten the researcher's boot. The same has been true for canebrake rattlesnakes although too few have been tested to declare that they are as passive as cottonmouths.

The exciting news (at least for the researchers) is that the copperhead is different from the others. Most copperheads tested have struck out immediately when they felt threatened.

This behavior explains why more people receive legitimate snakebites from copperheads than from any other species of venomous snake in North America. Still to be investigated is another aspect of copperhead bites: many are not serious enough to require more than minor medical treatment. This may be so not only because the venom of a copperhead is significantly less potent than that of rattlesnakes or cottonmouths, but also because they seldom inject much venom.

The copperhead's initial threat display is to strike. It lashes out at an enemy as a warning. If the enemy is close enough, the fangs may penetrate the skin. However, because this is a threat display, not an attempt to kill, the snake injects little venom. A copperhead has no intention of wasting valuable venom if it can scare away the menace with a minor bite.