The venom of some rattlesnakes is highly neurotoxic. For example, the venom of the South American rattlesnake contains crotoxin. Crotoxin prevents the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. This causes muscular paralysis and when breathing muscles are paralyzed, a person can die. The venom of the Mojave rattlesnake also contains a neurotoxin that acts in a similar way.
Venomous snakes can be dangerous even after they are dead.
Of the 13 school districts that responded to the survey, all used one or more pesticides that can cause cancer, damage the nervous system, reproductive system or endocrine system, or affect development. Pesticides that work by targeting the nervous system were used in 11 of the 13 school districts. For the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff, it appears to me that some policies should be changed. School officials are asked to use the least toxic pesticides and to prohibit the use of dangerous chemicals. Rose is a professor of biology and director of the Brain and Behavior Research Group at the Open University.