What I’ve always heard is that generally the pit vipers are
“hemotocs” and Myo-toxic as well. They basically inject digestive enzymes to get you started—their own style of barbecue sauce. It’s the coral snakes, related to cobras that are generally considered “neuro-tocs.” These are the names a surveyor I new used.
Rattlers, as I’ve always thought are more toxic and their venom includes a large neuro-toxic component. But according to this ER doc on the Animal Planet, rattlers like the Mojave are showing up lately with more toxic venom with a higher neuro-toxic component. I guess they, like us, prefer their dinner well seasoned and warm but quiet and still.
But it’s curious that among those western rattlers—which are no larger than moccasins or copperheads— are probably more dangerous than either of the diamondbacks. Also the constituents of the venom is changing to be more like coral snake venom. And, if rattlers can change, why shouldn’t copperheads?
If I had to get bitten by something, I might prefer a coral snake bite to any pit viper. You can lose appendages when those things get you.
When I was a kid and lived in the Philippines, I did a lot of snorkeling. I collected shells. I was told there was a shell (Geography Cone” that could sting you (actually shoots a little poisoned dart into you) that can kill you in 5-15 minutes.
I never saw or captured one, but my friend did. He said his older brothers told him you had to grab the shell from the front or you could get stung. So he did, and didn’t have problem.
I quite agree...the component of the pit viper toxin that causes tissue destruction is horrifying to me. I guess with the neurotoxins, you get paralyzed and suffocate, but don’t know how much pain is associated with that other than the, well, standard “discomfort” of suffocating...