Prairie Rattlesnake

Famous prairie species and frequent human encounter rattlesnake.

GenusCrotalus

RegionNorth AmericaGreat Plains, Western United States

Photo: Wendy McCrady · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY 4.0

Prairie Rattlesnake

Photo: Wendy McCrady · Source: Wikimedia Commons · License: CC BY 4.0

Prairie Rattlesnake

Danger Score

Final Danger Score

Venom Core

Lethality weighted 55% (potency × yield). Clinical weighted 45% (real-world CFR).

0.55 × 34 + 0.45 × 4036.7

Modifiers

Multiplicative scalers - amplify or reduce existing danger, can't create it from nothing.

× Speed (1.01)37.1

× Delivery (1.00)37.1

× Encounter (0.99)36.7

Speed = antivenom window. Delivery = fang efficiency. Encounter = exposure × temperament.

Score37

Type

NeurotoxicAffects the nervous system; disrupts nerve-muscle communication and can cause paralysis or respiratory failure.

Venom Yield

Moderate

Venom Speed

Quick

Delivery Method

Hinged front fangs

Potency (SC Equivalent)

4.650mg/kg LD50

Max Dry Yield

50mg dry

Fatality (Untreated)

3-10%

WHO Importance

Cat. 2

Local Effects

Pain at bite site

Neurological

Paralysis

Gastrointestinal

Nausea or vomiting

Causes of Death

Respiratory failure