Rattlesnake, are pit vipers, any of 30 species of venomous snakes characterized by a horny rattle at the tip of the tail, which is shaken vigorously to warn off intruders. Rattlesnakes are members of a larger family of poisonous snakes called pit vipers. They have heat detection pits on the sides of their heads that help them detect warm-blooded prey.

Rattlesnakes are found from Canada to Argentina. They occur in all states except Alaska. Mexico is home to 27 of the 30 rattlesnake species. The United States has 15 species of rattlers; a single species lives in Central America; and 3 species occur in South America. They can survive anywhere but the coldest climates but they prefer warm locations in almost any kind of terrain. They are found from sea level to about 4,420 m and re especially common in areas with abundant rodents, their favorite form of prey.

Rattlesnakes vary widely in size. Little pygmy rattlesnakes rarely reach 2 ft)in length and 4 oz. in weight. The largest rattlesnake is the eastern diamondback, which can grow to 8 ft. and weigh 20 lb. The larger rattlers make good eating.

Rattlesnakes have stout bodies and flattened, triangular heads. Most rattlesnakes are gray or brownish. The diamondback has dark hexagons down the center of the back and a streak running from each eye to the angle of the jaw.

Like other snakes, rattlesnakes have scales called scutes that cover their belly. They hooking the ground with their scutes and against the eath. A modified movement is demonstrated by the sidewinder, which moves sidewise along soft desert sands with a series of S-shaped curves resembling a rolling spring.

The right lung of a rattlesnake extends almost the full length of its body, and when the snake inhales air, it appears fatter and more threatening to enemies.

The defining characteristic of a rattlesnake is its rattle that produces a buzzing sound when shaken to warn away large grazing animals, such as bison, that lived among rattlesnakes in grassy plains.

Rattlesnakes produce a venom that may contain two types of poisons. One poison impairs the functioning of the victim's heart and lungs, and the other causes the victim's tissues to begin to disintegrate. Contrary to popular belief, humans are rarely bitten by rattlesnakes-in the United States, rattlesnakes cause fewer than 12 deaths each year.

Diet

Rattlers eat rodents, including mice, rats, and chipmunks. They are sit-and-wait predators. They remain coiled next to a regularly used animal path, often for days at a time, and wait silently for prey to come within striking distance. After stunning their prey with venom, they swallow the animal, and then move to another favored ambush site.

rattlesnakes hibernate during the winter until the following spring.

RepODUCTION

Rattlesnakes hatch inside of the mother's body and are born alive in broods of 4 to 12 young that mature after about three years. Those that survive to adulthood may live for as long as 25 years.