Rattlers!

Ranger Rick, May, 1998 by Ellen Lambeth

Are you rattled by rattlesnakes? Well, don't be. Just sink your teeth into the real truth about these amazing reptiles.

Rattlesnakes have a bad reputation. No wonder! They look mean. They sound spooky. And you know about their nasty bite. But mostly they're misunderstood. So here is all you ever wanted to know about rattlesnakes.

What are rattlesnakes?

They're a group of snakes that have what no other snakes have: rattle-tipped tails. They also have thick bodies, wide heads, cat-like eyes (see photo), and long, hollow fangs that fold away when they're not needed. Their dull colors and patchy patterns help them blend in with their surroundings.

Where do rattlers live?

There are about 30 different species (kinds), and you can find at least one kind or another in almost every state. Rattlers also live in southern Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Different rattlers hang out in different habitats. For example, sidewinders are in deserts, and many timber rattlers live in rocky woodlands. Canebrake rattlers can be found in swamps, while prairie rattlers live in grasslands.

Are rattlenakes dangerous?

To their prey, they're deadly! To people, their bite is painful . . . and sometimes deadly. But it's very unusual for a person to be bitten: People and rattlers aren't often in the same place at the same time.

Even when they are, most rattlers would rather stay hidden or slither away than attack. The prairie rattler in the photo at left has been surprised by a hiker. Its vibrating rattle is giving the hiker a clear warning: Don't take another step forward!

What's the rattle made of, and how does it work?

The rattle is a stack of hard sections of skin (see drawing). In other snakes, all of the skin comes off during shedding. In rattlesnakes, some stays attached at the end of the tail.

The beginning of the rattle is called the button. It stays stuck to the end of the tail the very first time a young rattlesnake sheds its skin. The next time the snake sheds, a new section is added underneath the button, and so on.

Each section fits loosely over the one under it. When the snake vibrates its tail, the sections rattle against each other and make a buzzing sound.

Can you tell a rattlesnake's age by counting the sections in the rattle?

No. A section is added each time a rattlesnake sheds. But some snakes shed several times a year. Others shed not as often. Also, one or more of the rattle's sections may have broken off.

What happens when a rattlesnake bites?

First it strikes by lunging toward the prey or enemy. The mouth opens wide, and the fangs swing out (above). When the snake hits its target, the fangs sink in deep. The rattler may--but doesn't always--pump venom (poison) through each fang. All this happens in about a second.

Can a rattlesnake bite be cured?

Yes, especially if a doctor treats it right away. If the kind of snake is known, the person may be treated with a medicine made from the venom of the same kind of snake. And how do people get venom to make medicine? By "milking" the snake! (left)

What do rattlers eat?

Most kinds go for small mammals--such as mice, squirrels, and rabbits--and sometimes birds. Some kinds eat mostly lizards, and others eat mostly frogs.

How does a rattlesnake find its prey?

It picks a good spot and waits. When prey comes along, all the snake's senses are on alert. First it may feel vibrations in the ground. Next it looks about and gathers scent molecules on its tongue. It sticks the tip of the tongue into a special smelling organ on the roof of its mouth. Then it uses deep pits on its face to sense body heat coming from the prey. (See the pit in the photo below?) Finally the snake knows exactly where the prey is--and STRIKES!

How does a rattlesnake eat its prey?

It sinks in its fangs and pumps in venom. Then it lets go and waits. If the dying prey crawls away, no problem. The snake can follow the scent trail with its tongue. Then the snake grabs the prey headfirst and swallows it whole (below).

Do rattlesnakes drink?

Rattlers, like all snakes, get water from the food they eat. But sometimes they suck some in from a puddle or pond, as the western diamondback rattler at right is doing.

How big are rattlers?

All sizes. The eastern diamondback probably is the biggest. It can get to be 6 feet (1.8 m) long or more. But usually it grows no more than 4 feet (1.2 m) or so. Most of the smallest species, such as the pygmy rattlesnake, are less than 20 inches (50 cm).

Do rattlesnakes have any natural enemies?

Sure. Big animals, such as bison, sometimes crush them underfoot--by mistake or on purpose. And some animals eat rattlesnakes. Red-tailed hawks nab lots of them. And so do other snakes--especially kingsnakes (see black-and-white snake at right). Other animals, such as coyotes, may gobble up a rattler once in a while.

How can predators eat a rattler without getting hurt? Some are quick enough to keep from being bitten. Others don't seem to be bothered by the venom.

Are any rattlesnakes endangered?

Two kinds--the New Mexican ridge-nosed and the Aruba Island rattlesnakes--are on the U.S. endangered species list as "threatened." That means they could easily become endangered. So they must be protected by law. Many other kinds also are a lot rarer than they once were. Here's why: