>>2386533Never been bitten by - or even seen - a rattlesnake in the wild. But their venom is not very deadly, and they always warn you.
I know a fella who got bit on the thumb by a rattlesnake while backpacking in Arizona. By the time he got to medical attention, after a day of hiking, his entire arm was swollen. He didn't get any antivenom, and the only long-term affect was some permanent numbness in his thumb.
I've heard from snake experts that the worst thing you can expect from a rattlesnake bite is losing a finger or toe. So the risk is not that bad - Just make sure your kids know not to mess with them, and if they do get bitten, be very calm about it so they don't freak out. Because increased blood flow makes the venom move through the body faster.
Here's a video of a gila monster doing its thing - These guys aren't anything to worry about either. The venom is excruciatingly painful but rarely leaves any long-term effects.
