Rattlesnake

Rattlesnake Facts

Size	Up to 7.8 ft (2.4 m)
Speed	Unknown
Weight	Up to 10 lb (4.5 kg)
Lifespan	Up to 30 years (in terrariums)
Food	Mice, prairie dogs, rats, rabbits
Predators	Foxes, buzzards, coyotes
Habitat	America
Class	Reptiles
Order	Scaled reptiles
Family	Vipers
Scientific name	Crotalus
Characteristics	“Rattle” at the end of the tail

Main Characteristics

Rattlesnakes are known for the rattle at the end of their tail, which they use to make noise in case of danger. There exist 29 species, which exclusively live on the American continent.

Habitat

Where Do Rattlesnakes Live?

Normally you would expect rattlesnakes to mainly live in the desert. Yet they often can also be found in swamps and are very good swimmers.

Anatomy and Appearance

The Largest Rattlesnake

The biggest rattlesnake is the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. It can grow up to 7.8 feet (2.4 meters) long and reaches a weight of 10 lb (4.5 kg). The second largest rattlesnake is the Texas diamond back.

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The Smallest Rattlesnake

The smallest is the ridge-nosed rattlesnake with a length of about 20 inch (50 cm) and a weight of 3.5 oz (100 g). The smallest of them are only 11.8 inch (30 cm long).

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake - Photo: Jason Mintzer/Shutterstock

The Rattle

Why Does The Rattlesnake Rattle?

It may sound funny, but the snake primarily uses its rattle to keep hoofed animals away. The rattling noise warns them and prevents them from accidentally treading on the snake.

How Does the Snake Produce the Rattling Noise?

The rattlesnake has very strong muscles and uses them to shake the rattle – if the snake is very excited it can do this 50-60 times per second and for up to three hours. The horrific sound is produced with the rings of the rattle vibrating against one another. By the way: The rings are hollow inside, while toy rattles are mostly filled with little beads.

What Is the Rattle Made of?

The rattle is made of a material that is quite similar to our finger nails and hairs. Whenever the snake sheds its skin, another ring is added to the rattle. It is basically a leftover at the tip of the tail that cannot be shaken off. Yet, it is not possible to use the number of rings to determine the age of the rattlesnake, because they can break off occasionally.

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Pacific Rattlesnake Pacific Rattlesnake - Photo: Junior Braz/Shutterstock

Behavior

How Does a Rattlesnake Find its Prey?

The rattlesnake perceives smells with its tongue. Like all pit vipers, it also has two pits (hence the name of the animal family) at both sides of the head. They contain an organ that functions like a heat sensor. You could also compare it to an infrared or heat-detecting camera. The snake can sense even the slightest fluctuations in temperature with it. A difference of 0.2–0.4 degrees Celsius is enough for the snake to know that there is some prey close by.

The Venom

How Venomous Is the Rattlesnake?

The rattlesnake is one of the most venomous snakes worldwide. Even 0.03 oz (1 g) of its venom is enough to kill 3,000–5,000 mice.

Rattlesnakes Carefully Dose Their Venom

When biting, a rattlesnake is able to determine the exact amount of venom to be used. This makes sense, because it takes a lot of energy to produce the venom. It would be silly to kill a mouse with an enormous amount of venom and then be left without any venom for a larger animal of prey. Young rattlesnakes are generally not as good at controlling the amount of venom – therefore they usually are more dangerous.

Enemies and Threats

Does a Rattlesnake Have Enemies?

Yes, for instance foxes, coyotes and buzzards. There is even one snake species that preys on rattlesnakes: The kingsnake is immune against the venom of the rattlesnake.

Senses and Abilities

Can Rattlesnakes Grow Back Fangs?

If necessary, the rattlesnake can replace its teeth every few weeks. Thus, sometimes it has four teeth at the same time, but only two of them are in use.

Reproduction

Rattlesnakes are grown up after 18–24 months. They mate in spring, but do not lay eggs. Instead they give birth to 10-20 babies after a gestation period of about 90 days. At first they do not have a rattle, which develops when the snake sheds its skin.

South American Rattlesnake South American Rattlesnake - Photo: Susan Schmitz/Shutterstock