Re: Timber Rattlesnakes Indirectly Benefit Human Health

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eeek

Timber Rattlesnakes Indirectly Benefit Human Health
August 06, 2013 02:25PM

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Registered: 15 years ago
Posts: 17,051

Aug. 6, 2013 — The scientific name of the timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus, is a sign of the fear and loathing this native North American viper has inspired. But research by a team of University of Maryland biologists shows the timber rattlesnake indirectly benefits humankind by keeping Lyme disease in check.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130806091815.htm

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gophersnake

Re: Timber Rattlesnakes Indirectly Benefit Human Health
August 07, 2013 01:00AM

Registered: 11 years ago
Posts: 299

Maybe other rodent-borne diseases too. I'm thinking Hantavirus, for instance.

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fullframe

Re: Timber Rattlesnakes Indirectly Benefit Human Health
August 15, 2013 11:03PM

Registered: 10 years ago
Posts: 13

That is true of about any species of rattlesnake as mice, chipmunks rats and other small vermin that carry things like the hantavirus, plague and Lyme's disease are in their diet. The Lyme's disease info though is extra interesting. The disease is carried by chipmunks in certain areas, but is not readily transmittable. young ticks though often collect on small rodents like these chipmunks and that is where the ticks pick up Lyme's Disease and then they transmit it to not only people, but dogs and horses I believe can also suffer from Lyme's.