Tucson Region
Rattlers bound for research
Snakes' venom will be studied
By Becky Pallack
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.09.2006
A rattlesnake that settled into a home-remodeling project in the Foothills
soon will be making a new home 1,000 miles from Tucson at a Texas research
facility.
The rattler was one of four Western Diamondbacks caught recently by
Rural/Metro firefighters and donated to the Natural Toxins Research Center
at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The center houses more than 400 venomous
snakes of all types, said Elda Sanchez, assistant director.
"They are an important part of our ecology, and although their venom can be
dangerous to humans, it may also be useful," she said. The researcher
received permission from authorities to collect a few snakes from the Fire
Department's recent catch.
At the research center, scientists isolate the chemical components of the
snakes' venom and try to learn their biomedical effects, Sanchez said.
Because snake venom keeps blood from clotting normally, it's useful in
studying strokes and heart attacks, she said.
"They're telling us what's in the venom, and we're trying to use that to
help our patients," said Jude McNally, managing director of the Arizona
Poison and Drug Information Center.
Local scientists are working to develop a new antivenin based on the
research, he said.
The local snakes, which are 2 to 3 feet long, will be milked once a month
for their venom, Sanchez said. They will be quarantined for one month before
joining other snakes at the Texas facility. Researchers have a permit for up
to eight snakes.
They are just a few of the 50 snakes picked up by firefighters on Saturday
and Sunday, said Rural/Metro Fire Department Battalion Chief Rick Flores.
May is early in the snake season, and more calls are coming in.
Crews usually release captured snakes back into the wild. ? Contact reporter
Becky Pallack at 629-9412 or at
bpallack@azstarnet.com.
Snake venom will be studied
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