How long does rattlesnake venom stay in your system?

Ideally, you’ll reach medical help within 30 minutes of being bitten. If the bite is left untreated, your bodily functions will break down over a period of 2 or 3 days and the bite may result in severe organ damage or death.

How much is diamondback rattlesnake venom worth?

The venom is apparently a “critical ingredient” in medications that help prevent strokes and treat conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, among others. It’s also extremely lucrative: the venom is worth $225 per gram. Unfortunately, many people in the profession wind up dead, or at least missing fingers.

What do you do if you get bit by an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake?

If a venomous snake bites you, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately, especially if the bitten area changes color, begins to swell or is painful. Many emergency rooms stock antivenom drugs, which may help you.

How old is a rattlesnake with 7 rattles?

Counting the Rattles Unless you know when the snake hatched, you can’t determine the exact age of a rattlesnake, but you can count the rattles to figure a rough estimate as to how old the snake is. On average, you can estimate the snake added two or three rattles for each year of his life.

Is baby rattlesnake venom more toxic?

Not really. It’s a myth that baby rattlesnakes release more venom than adults, said UC Davis conservation biology professor Brian Todd. In fact, babies are typically less dangerous because they have less venom to inject when they bite, Todd said.

Can I collect and sell snake venom?

Yes. In most places, it’s not a criminal activity to sell venomous, or “hot,” snakes over the Internet, but you do need a government permit. There aren’t any federal laws regulating the hot-snake trade; each state controls these transactions through their wildlife or agriculture divisions.

Is rattlesnake antivenom covered by insurance?

Depending on the plan, most insurance companies cover a portion of the anti-venom. Both patients we talked to paid more than $3,000 out-of-pocket.

How long can you go without antivenom after a rattlesnake bite?

Treatment: Antivenom This is the only way to treat venomous snakebites. It’s best to get antivenom within 4 hours of the bite, but it can still help if you get it within 24 hours. You get it through an IV — the medicine goes into a vein through a needle. It drips in slowly to make sure you don’t have a reaction.

What is the deadliest rattlesnake?

The eastern diamondback is the largest of all North American venomous snakes, and it is arguably the most deadly. It has the largest fangs of any rattlesnake species in the world, a very high venom yield, and an absolutely devastating potency.

Can I buy rattlesnake antivenom?

There’s only one commercially available antivenin for “treating venomous snakebites in the United States – CroFeb, manufactured by U.K.-based BTG plc,” according to The Washington Post. There are no other competitors in the market, and because of that, in 2014, BTG closed out around $100 million.