Terra Natura, the animal and nature park in Benidorm, cares for vulnerable and endangered species, and recently they have welcomed the birth of six dusky pygmy rattlesnake pups.
“The birth of these six dusky pygmy rattlesnake pups is excellent news from the perspective of conservation and scientific research,” said David Martí, herpetologist at Terra Natura Benidorm. "This species has unique characteristics, and the venom has enormous biomedical potential. Being able to maintain and breed these animals under controlled conditions allows us not only to ensure their well-being, but also to collaborate on research projects that may have real medical applications in the future."
The birth parents arrived at the Benidorm Park in 2023 and currently form part of the venomous snake collection. This collection is under the supervision of a specialized veterinary team, due to biomedical research and, of course, conservation.
Although the venom of the Sistrurus miliarius barbouri is not fatal to humans, it does cause inflammation, necrosis, and intense pain.
In the biomedical field, the venom of this species is used as an anticoagulant in studies aimed at preventing acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarctions, and angina, because of its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation.
In this context, Terra Natura Benidorm is collaborating with Dr. Elda E. Sánchez from the National Natural Toxins Research Center at Texas A&M University–Kingsville by providing biological samples for scientific research. The goal of this partnership is to support the development of new treatments related to cardiovascular health.
