I've known for many years that the venom varies in different populations of any given species of rattlesnakes, but I DIDN'T know the difference could be THIS profound.
I'd imagine other areas with large differences in terrain (like New Mexico, for example) might also see this...but now I wonder about all the other areas too...maybe it's
about more than just the landscape/elevation/etc. It's so amazing what natural selection can do. And I just want to add that even though their venom is dangerous, I've
known many rattlesnakes & adore them. Many things in our world are dangerous...it's not paying attention that gets us in trouble. Please don't blame or hate rattlesnakes
for having the means to capture & kill their food...it's not us they want.