This episode is all about the problems rattlesnakes face in the wild. A brilliant new study uncovers whether predatory birds in America are resistant to the toxins of the rattlesnakes they eat, and then we talk about how rattlesnakes deal with the problem of getting water in dry environments. Finally, a beautiful new species of pitviper has been described from Thailand.Become a Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herphighlightsMerch: https://www.redbubble.com/people/herphighlights/shopFull reference list available here: http://www.herphighlights.podbean.comMain Paper References:Balchan NR, Crowther TW, Kratz G, Mackessy SP. 2025. Raptors without resistance: No evidence for endogenous inhibition of rattlesnake venom metalloproteinases in a Great Plains raptor assemblage. Toxicon McIntyre MG, Van Mierlo M, Parker MR, Goetz SM, Taylor EN, Boback SM. 2024. Rain-harvesting behavior in free-ranging prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis). Current Zoology:zoae069. DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoae069.Species of the Bi-Week:Pawangkhanant P, Idiiatullina SS, Smits T, Dugdale I, Pierce A, Suwannapoom C, Poyarkov NA. 2025. A NEW SPECIES OF KARST-ASSOCIATED PITVIPER OF THE Trimeresurus kanburiensis COMPLEX (SQUAMATA: VIPERIDAE) FROM EASTERN THAILAND. Taprobanica 14. DOI: 10.47605/tapro.v14i1.347.Editing and Music:Intro/outro – Treehouse by Ed NelsonSpecies Bi-week theme – Michael TimothyOther Music – The Passion HiFi, https://www.thepassionhifi.comIntro visuals – Paul Snelling