This cache was named for the street it is on. “Las Viboras”
translates to “The Vipers”. The Western Diamondback (Crotalus
atrox), has been split into 8 subspecies which includes the
Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, which is the most common rattlesnake
found in this area of California.
The Crotalines are also called “pit vipers” because they have
heat-sensing “pits” on their faces between the eye and nostril. The
pits help them locate prey. Another feature is that poisonous
snakes have vertical pupils (non-poisonous snakes have round
pupils) though hopefully one would not be close enough to evaluate
this. The rattlesnake bite is generally “hemotoxic” which means
that it exerts it’s toxin by disrupting the integrity of the blood
vessels. The swelling is often dramatic with up to 1/3 of the total
blood circulation being lost into the tissues in a matter of hours.
The toxin further disrupts normal blood clotting mechanisms leading
to uncontrolled bleeding. This kind of blood loss induces shock and
finally death. If you are like me and take your dog with you on
wilderness and Geocaching hikes, there has recently been developed
a vaccination against the venom of the Southern Pacific
Rattlesnake. This vaccine also protects against the venom of six
out of seven of the other California rattlesnakes (the Mojave
Rattlesnake has significantly different venom such that it is not
covered) and there is good cross-protection against numerous other
venomous snakes native to areas outside California.
An interesting fact: Adult California Ground Squirrels are
immune to rattlesnake venom and will intensely confront any snake
they feel to be a threat.
This is a three part Multi that has a pretty low likelihood of a
confrontation with a rattlesnake. Nevertheless you should always be
watchful for rattlesnakes while out and about on caching
expeditions.