Jul 30, 2026 · 29 min · 12 segments
This episode of The Nature of Idaho brings together hosts Dr. Leif Tapanila (Idaho Museum of Natural History) and Peter Pruett (Zoo Idaho) with guest Kristopher Watson, a program manager at the Utah…
Christopher WatsonGuest
Leif TapanilaHost
Peter PruettHost
Well, you know, there's this idea that baby rattlesnakes are actually more dangerous than adult rattlesnakes because they say that they can't control their venom.
They can't control the venom, and so they're releasing venom all over the place.
Really? We've got some research coming out of Loma Linda University outside of Los Angeles that they've gone back and looked at all these historical data on the bites with baby rattlesnakes.
And what they actually found is that baby rattlesnakes can control their venom expulsion.
Adults are actually more dangerous than the babies because the adults have more venom.
And when they share their venom with us, it's a lot more than what a baby can produce.
And part of the research they actually looked at, too, is how this kind of misconception – developed over the years.
The misconception is being attributed to incorrect quotes from health care professionals and emergency responders.
Well, you know, there's this idea that baby rattlesnakes are actually more dangerous than adult rattlesnakes because they say that they can't control their venom.
They can't control the venom, and so they're releasing venom all over the place.
Really? We've got some research coming out of Loma Linda University outside of Los Angeles that they've gone back and looked at all these historical data on the bites with baby rattlesnakes.
And what they actually found is that baby rattlesnakes can control their venom expulsion.
Adults are actually more dangerous than the babies because the adults have more venom.
And when they share their venom with us, it's a lot more than what a baby can produce.
And part of the research they actually looked at, too, is how this kind of misconception – developed over the years.
The misconception is being attributed to incorrect quotes from health care professionals and emergency responders.
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