Southern Pacific rattlesnakes not rattling a warning... this could not be located on snopes so i could not verify authenticity

From Trina Began – reports to Trina have shown that the snakes are not rattling before striking, so please be careful of yourself and animals. Keep on paths and do not allow animals to stick their noses into brush or holes.
Subject: Important: Southern Pacific rattlesnakes
Please note:
A dog was recently bitten in Garner Valley by a Southern Pacific rattlesnake. The treating veterinarian noted that the venom was neurotoxic and insisted that the snake had been a Mojave Green. The dog's owner, however, has a degree in herpetology and knew positively that the bite came from a Southern Pacific rattler.

The dog developed none of the symptoms associated with hemotoxins; there was no swelling at all. Despite the injection of three vials of antivenom, the dog died.

The dominant species in the San Jacinto Mts (above the pinyon line) is the Southern Pacific. A recent study detected neurotoxins in a 25% of 25 samples. It has also been noted that the species seldom rattles. I have personally removed four Southern Pacific rattlesnakes from my property in recent years; not a single one sounded the characteristic warning rattle.

These developments indicate that the Southern Pacific rattler is far more dangerous than previously thought. The bite is becoming "supertoxic".


George Service