Boy, 7, recovering after Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake bites him (Michigan)

Unlike other family members, 7-year-old Logan Coleman doesn’t have an aversion to snakes.

Clutching a handful of the plastic toy reptiles, he says his favorite is the venomous African black mamba.

He likes rattlesnakes, too, he said. Except for the one that bit him Wednesday in his Spring Arbor Township backyard in a rare encounter with Michigan’s only venomous snake.

“Logan screamed and said, ‘Mom, you have to come see what bit me,’ ” his mother, Kimberly Coleman, recalled Friday while standing near the family’s swing set where they found the snake coiled in the grass.

If that would have been a Mojave Green Rattlesnake ,...he would have had serious trouble...

They are not particurally big but seem to have a very virulent blend of toxins...different than other rattlesnakes...

We lose people out here , and kids are in particular danger.

Seems like only nasty stuff survives in the desert.

Don't Mess with Mr. Green

*************************************EXCERPT**************************************

The Mojave rattlesnake, better known as the "Mojave Green," has a fearsome and well-deserved reputation. Considered more aggressive than other species of rattlesnakes, the Mojave Green's appearance is similar to that of his kin - flat, triangular head, heavy scales, a thick body with a diamond camouflage pattern and rattles on the tail. The nickname comes as a result of the species commonly having a greenish tint, in contrast to the normal brown or yellow color of other rattlesnakes.

The Mojave Green is considered the most dangerous of the various species of rattlesnakes due to the lethality of its poison. Snake venom is of two types. The first is hemotoxin, which destroys blood cells and tissue to help the snake predigest its prey. The other, that of the Mojave Green, is neurotoxin, which destroys nerves and nerve tissue; this paralyzes the snake's prey and prevents its escape. In a high enough dose, neurotoxin can stop the breathing process. As a result, anyone bitten by a Mojave Green needs medical attention, as one person noted, "pretty damn quick."

Yep. When I hear someone brag about killing a non venomous snake in their yard, I ask them do they prefer disease infested rats to a snake that is harmless? Like you said, everything has a part and place.

BTW...There was a fairly large EDR killed near Savannah last week. BRB with photo.

Personally...no I don’t. I don’t kill any creature unless I intend to eat it, except for those bastard yellow jackets.

Ole’ Cletus there probably claimed he killed it because it was a danger being on his hunting land, but the truth probably is Cletus saw the biggest assed EDB anyone around his parts since he was born, and his eyes lit up knowing his bragging rights chit expiration date went away.

You can bet some south ga redneck has chunked up the tail and fried them to a delicious golden brown. Meat does not go to waste in south ga.

The old saying is ‘plumb always kill a rattlesnake’.

If they’re hanging out on the property, you have something they want: rabbits, mice, lizards.

I agree with killing any vipers within sight and especially the cottonmouths in your creeks and lakes.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.