Snake Bite FAQ

Kyoto: Hiking from Kibune to Kurama

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There are three species worth extra attention if you frequent their ranges. These all have the venom to make you pay dearly should you upset them. Different sources give different assessments of the dispositions of the eastern diamondback and the Mojave rattler. Some list them as short tempered and quick to strike humans, while others say that they are not very aggressive. There is, however, general agreement that both of these plus the western diamondback pack a nasty wallop if they do bite. It is useful to know if you are in their range and be able to recognize them in order to get proper treatment should someone get bitten.

While a major distinguishing feature of both diamondbacks (at least in the adult snake) is their size, this may be an unreliable indicator. Even experts have a difficult time estimating the size of a live snake, a problem compounded when a novice unexpectedly encounters one. Size estimates are typically quite generous to say the least. If the snake is dead and can be measured you can get useful information. Most of the danger of a diamondback comes from its size and the quantity of venom anyway. It won't make much difference if it is a juvenile diamondback or an adult of some other species (except the Mojave).

Various authors do not agree on which is the most dangerous. Some claim this honor for the eastern diamondback, and some for the western version. The eastern species is larger and has more venom but its western cousin has a more potent venom. The Mojave rattlesnake is also a good candidate for the most dangerous snake in the U.S. Its very potent venom with the delayed action make it a real danger. Not that it matters much, one would not want to be bitten by any of the three.