Designed by Paul Smith 2006. This website is copyrighted by law.
Material contained herewith may not be used without the prior written permission of FAUNA Paraguay.
Material on this page was provided by Paul Smith, Juan Klavins, Leila K,
Arne Lesterhuis and Alberto Esquivel and is used with their permission.
TROPICAL RATTLESNAKE Crotalus durissus
It goes without saying that the Rattlesnake should be treated with the utmost of respect. It is the owner of a deadly neurotoxin that claims a massive 75% mortality if the bite is untreated, reduced to only 15% with the immediate administration of the correct anti-venin. Fortunately the Rattlesnake is a sluggish, non-aggressive beast. Venom production is energetically expensive and he is not keen to waste his reserves biting something he can´t then eat! If you come too close he will warn you, shaking the hard scales at the tip of his tail to produce a warning sound - the rattle. Provided you then back off and let the snake retreat a safe distance you are in no danger.
Click on the images to enlarge them
FIGURE 1 - (FPREP372PH) Adult, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel undated).
FIGURE 2 - (FPREP373PH) Same individual coiled (Alberto Esquivel undated).
FIGURE 3 -  (FPREP374PH) Same individual dorsal view of head (Alberto Esquivel undated).
FIGURE 4 - (FPREP596PH) Adult coiled, near Teniente Picco, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2011).
FIGURE 5 - (FPREP375PH) Head detail, Bahía Negra area, Departamento Alto Paraguay (Juan Klavins undated).
FIGURE 6 - (FPREP376PH) Adult, Estancia Cardúz, Departamento San Pedro (Paul Smith November 2005).
FIGURE 7 - (FPREP377PH) Adult found dead, Plot 21 Pilcomayo, Departamento Presidente Hayes (Paul Smith March 2005).
FIGURE 8 - (FPREP378PH) Adult dorsal view, Campo Maria Private Nature Reserve, Cuenca Upper Yacaré Sur (Arne Lesterhuis July 2004)
FIGURE 9 - (FPREP379PH) Detail of rattle, PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Alberto Esquivel undated).
FIGURE 10 - (FPREP380PH) Juvenile,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Leila K August 2008).
FIGURE 11 - (FPREP381PH) Juvenile camouflaged,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Leila K August 2008).
FIGURE 12 - (FPREP382PH) Juvenile fangs,  PROCOSARA, PN San Rafael (Leila K August 2008).
FIGURE 13 - (FPREP597PH) Detail of large rattle, near Teniente Picco, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2011).
VIDEO - (FPREP598VI) Adult coiled, near Teniente Picco, Departamento Boquerón (Paul Smith July 2011).
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