Page 835 - Veterinary Toxicology, Basic and Clinical Principles, 3rd Edition

Terrestrial Zootoxins Chapter | 58 793

VetBooks.ir (A) (B)

Cottonmouth
Prairie rattlesnake
Sidewinder rattlesnake

(C) (D)

Eastern diamond-
Pygmy rattlesnake back rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnake
Massasauaga
Western diamondback
Mojave rattlesnake
rattlesnake
(E)
(F)

Black-tailed
rattlesnake
Pacific rattlesnake
Canebrake

FIGURE 58.3 Distribution of venomous snakes in the United States. (A) Distribution of copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix). (B) Distribution of
cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis), and sidewinder rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerastes). (C) Distribution of
pygmy rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius), massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus), and Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus). (D) Distribution
of the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), and Western diamondback rattlesnake
(Crotalus atrox). (E) Distribution of the black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus), Pacific rattlesnake (C. atrox), and canebrake rattlesnake
(C. horridus atricaudatus). (F) Distribution of coral snakes (Micruroides euryxanthus and Micrurus fulvius). Adapted from Fowler, Veterinary
Zootoxicology, CRC Press, and Professional Pest Control Products website, http://www.pestproducts.com/snakeinfo.htm.

United States are attributed to rattlesnakes, due to their Pit vipers inject their venom by rotating their
more potent venoms. It is estimated that from 150,000 to retractable fangs downward and forward in a stabbing
300,000 animals are bitten every year by pit vipers within motion (Peterson, 2004). Contraction of muscles in the
the United States (Peterson, 2004; Wallis, 2005). venom glands then forces the venom through the hollow