Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here are some pics of a 4 foot red diamond rattler that I caught in Camp Pendleton housing and relocated to a remote spot inside the base

enjoy

Yeah, Camp Pendelton. When I was with the Army Reserves back in 1990, I did one summer drill (summer two weeks) @ camp Pendelton. It is a marine base, but the Army Reserves was able to use it. I was with the 458th Army Surgical Hospital. It was a M.A.S.H. unit. I was a private (E-2) back then.

Now I am stationed in Maryland as a captain with the Air Force.

cheers. My wife and I are originally from S. CA. We want to get back to being stationed in California. We are looking @ either Edwards AFB, Travis AFB, Beale AFB, Vanderburg AFB or Los Angeles Air Force Base (near LAX).

Hope to see you in CA sometime.

cheers.

Nice work relocating the Crotalus, BTW.

BTW, if we ever get back to CA, I plan to keep a few Crotalus species (proably a C. c. cerates or a speckled rattle snake) (something with a "mild" venom load).

cheers. Happy hotings.

Just FYI - drop for drop C.ruber is considerably less potent than C. cerastes. The venom is of moderate toxicity. Human lethal dose is 40 mg and people have died from envenomation. Average venom delivered per bite is 20-63 mg. Venom is still lethal to mice and cats after 27 years of storage. Venom causes deep tissue necrosis at site of bite.

Clinical effects - The venom is about twice as strong as that of the eastern diamondback (Crotalus adamanteus), however this specie is not believed capable of delivering a lethal dose due to small venom yield. The venom contains mytoxins similar to those found in other species of rattlesnake.

If you are looking for a mild socal rattler, I'd definately go with mitchelli. They are really beautiful snakes that do really well in captivity.

Finally! Someone has posted pictures of my favorite rattler species (and a beautiful one at that). Thanky for sharing.

Very pretty snake. Nice job.