Where does the rattlesnake live? Rattlesnake: features, danger to humans, photo

Every rattlesnake is venomous, but few have the tail rattle that gave its name to this vast subfamily of over two hundred species.

Description

Rattlesnakes (in the broad sense of the term) include one of the subfamilies that are part of the viper family. Herpetologists classify them as Crotalinae, at the same time calling them rattlesnakes or pitheads (due to a pair of thermolocator pits planted between the nostrils and eyes).

Surukuku (they are also formidable bushmasters), temple keffis, zhararaks, millet rattlesnakes, urutu, American spearhead snakes - all this creeping variety belongs to the subfamily Crotalinae, consisting of 21 genera and 224 species.

One of the genera bears the proud name of Crotalus - real rattlesnakes. This genus includes 36 species, including miniature dwarf rattlesnakes, about half a meter long, as well as rhombic rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus), growing up to 2 and a half meters. By the way, many herpetologists consider the latter to be the classic and most beautiful rattlesnakes.

Appearance of the snake

Hollow-headed snakes differ from each other both in size (from 0.5 m to 3.5 m) and in color, which, as a rule, is polychrome. The scales can be painted in almost all colors of the rainbow - white, black, steel, beige, emerald green, reddish-pink, brown, yellow and more. These reptiles are rarely monochromatic, not afraid to display intricate patterns and flashy colors.

The main background often looks like an interweaving of thick stripes, streaks or rhombuses. Sometimes, as in the case of Celebes keffiyeh, the predominant color (bright green) is only slightly diluted with thin blue-white stripes.

Rattlesnakes are related by a wedge-shaped head, two elongated fangs (through which the poison passes) and a tail ratchet made of ring-shaped cornifications.

Important! Not all reptiles are equipped with rattles - they are not, for example, in the muzzle, as well as in the Catalina rattlesnake living on about. Santa Catalina (Gulf of California).

The tail rattle is needed by the snake to scare off enemies, and its growth continues throughout life. The thickening at the end of the tail appears after the first molt. During the next molts, fragments of old skin cling to this growth, leading to the formation of a relief ratchet.

When moving, the rings are lost, but most of remains to serve as an instrument of intimidation/warning of the enemy. The vibration of the tail raised up, topped with a rattle, indicates that the reptile is nervous and you better get out of its way.

According to Nikolai Drozdov, the sound of the vibrating rings is similar to the crackling produced by a narrow-film film projector and can be heard at a distance of up to 30 meters.

Lifespan

If rattlesnakes lived the entire period assigned to them by nature, they would not leave this world before 30 years. At least, this is how long the pitheads live in captivity (in satiety and without natural enemies). In freedom, these reptiles do not always reach twenty, and the vast majority die much earlier.

Range, habitats

According to herpetologists, almost half of the rattlesnakes (106 species) live on the American continent and quite a lot (69 species) - in South-East Asia.

The only pitheads that have penetrated both hemispheres of the earth are called muzzles.. True, in North America there are much fewer of them - only three species. Two (eastern and common muzzle) were found on Far East our country, in Central Asia and Azerbaijan. Oriental is also found in China, Japan and Korea, whose inhabitants have learned to cook excellent dishes from snake meat.

The common muzzle can be seen in Afghanistan, Iran, Korea, Mongolia and China, and the hook-nosed one can be seen in Sri Lanka and India. The smooth muzzle lives on the Indochinese peninsula, on Sumatra and Java. Himalayan prefers mountains, conquering peaks up to 5 thousand meters.

A variety of keffis live in the Eastern Hemisphere, the most impressive of which is considered a resident of Japan - a one and a half meter haba. The mountain keffiyeh was registered in the Indochinese peninsula and the Himalayas, and the bamboo one - in India, Nepal and Pakistan.

In the Western Hemisphere, other pitheads, called bothrops, are also common. The most numerous rattlesnakes in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay are considered zhararaki, and Mexico - rutu.

Rattlesnake lifestyle

The pitheads are such a diverse community that its members can be found anywhere from deserts to mountains. For example, the water muzzle "grazes" in swamps, wet meadows, banks of ponds and rivers, while Bothrops athrox prefers the tropical jungle.

Some rattlesnakes almost do not get off the trees, others feel great confidence on the ground, others have chosen the rocks.

On a hot afternoon, rattlesnakes rest under boulders, trunks of fallen trees, under decaying fallen leaves, in the bases of stumps and in holes left by rodents, gaining vigor closer to dusk. Nocturnal activity is typical for a hot season: in the cool seasons, snakes are nimble during the daytime.

Chilling in the cold season, as well as pregnant reptiles often take sunbaths.

It is interesting! Many rattlesnakes remain faithful to the once chosen hole for years, in which their numerous descendants continue to live. Nora seems to be inherited for tens and hundreds of years.

Huge snake colonies live in such a family lair. The first foray, hunting, mating and even seasonal migrations take place near the burrow. Some species of rattlesnakes hibernate in large companies, warming each other during hibernation, while others keep apart.

Ration, prey

Rattlesnakes, like typical ambush predators, take position and wait for prey to come within throwing distance. An S-shaped bend of the neck, in which the rattlesnake's head looks towards the enemy, serves as a signal of the upcoming attack. The length of the throw is equal to 1/3 of the length of the snake's body.

Like other vipers, pit vipers infect prey with venom rather than strangulation. Rattlesnakes feed mainly on small warm-blooded animals, but not only on them. The diet (depending on the range) contains:

• rodents, including mice, rats and rabbits;
• birds;
• a fish;
• frogs;
• lizards;
• small snakes;
• insects, including cicadas and caterpillars.

Teenage snakes often use their brightly colored tail tip to lure frogs as well.

During the day, rattlesnakes find prey with the help of ordinary organs of vision, but an object frozen without movement may not be noticed. At night, temperature-responsive pits come to their aid, distinguishing fractions of degrees. Even in pitch darkness, the snake sees the thermal contour of the victim, created by infrared radiation.

Enemies of the rattlesnake

This is, first of all, a person who destroys reptiles in hunting excitement or because of unjustified fear. A lot of rattlesnakes are crushed on the roads. In general, the population of pit vipers, like other snakes, has significantly decreased on the planet.

Factors that reduce the number of rattlesnakes include night frosts, which are deadly for newly hatched juveniles.

Rattlesnake breeding

Most viviparous rattlesnakes mate after wintering (in April-May) or later, depending on the range. Often, summer sperm is stored in the body of the female until the next spring, and only in June does the reptile lay eggs. In the clutch there are from 2 to 86 (Bothrops atrox) pieces, but on average 9-12, and after three months the offspring are born.

As a rule, before laying eggs, females crawl away from their burrow for 0.5 km, but it happens that snakes hatch right in the family nest. After 2 years, the female, who has regained her strength, will be ready for the next mating.

At the age of 10 days, rattlesnakes shed their skin for the first time, during which a “button” is formed at the tip of the tail, which eventually turns into a ratchet. Around the beginning of October, snakes try to find their way to their native hole, but not everyone succeeds: some die from the cold and predators, others go astray.

Male pitheads reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age, females at 3 years of age.

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ordinary rattlesnake or rattlesnake (Latin name "Crotalus durissimus") - a species of reptiles, the Scaly order, the Viper family, the Pithead subfamily.

Appearance
The main distinguishing feature of an ordinary rattle snake (as well as all representatives of this genus) is the presence of a special rattle or rattle at the end of the tail, consisting of a number of horny cones nested into each other and sitting on the last 6-8 tail vertebrae, expanded and soldered together. The ratchet represents a modification of the tail scales. The cones that make up the rattle are not formed during molting, and their number does not correspond to the number of molts.

Body length ordinary explosive snakes reach 1.6 meters (the largest specimens reach 2 meters) in length. From above, the body of the snake is painted gray-brown with irregular black stripes. Below the body is yellowish-white with small black dots.

Lifestyle

Common rattlesnakes live predominantly in uninhabited, dry and rocky areas where water is nearby. Settles mainly in the holes of rodents and sand martins, expanding them if necessary, as well as under stones. It is nocturnal, although it often basks in the sun. The rattlesnake feeds on small mammals, birds and amphibians.

The rattlesnake is lazy and immobile, although it can crawl quickly while chasing prey. The breeding season for rattlesnakes is in the spring, and the snakes often gather in large balls, like common vipers. In August, the female lays eggs, from which young snakes emerge within a few minutes.

Habitat

The common rattlesnake is widespread on the mainland of North America from the Gulf of Mexico to 46° north latitude. In the western part of the United States of America is the largest number representatives of this species of reptiles. In the eastern part of the mainland, the rattlesnake is practically not common in the north.

Danger!!!

The rattlesnake itself does not attack a person. When approached, it curls up into a ring, raises its head and tail and moves the rattle strongly, making a characteristic rustle, which is often heard during crawling. Thus, the snake warns people of danger. If at this time you move away from the snake, then for some time it will maintain its threatening posture, and then it will quietly crawl away, but if you get confused to approach it, then a bite is inevitable. During the attack, the rattlesnake opens its mouth wide, giving forward poisonous teeth. Even the tightest jeans will not save you from a rattlesnake bite, as the snake has rather long and sharp teeth.

I explosive snakes have a neuroparalytic effect on the human body. A few hours after the bite, dizziness, nausea, and profuse sweating appear. Later, breathing becomes difficult, heart problems arise. If you consult a doctor in time, then the bitten person can be saved. Full recovery occurs only 2-3 weeks after treatment.

The rattlesnake is one of the most dangerous reptiles, whose venom can quickly kill a person. There are many rumors about her.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what it is and where you should be on the alert to avoid an unwanted meeting with it.

What does it look like and why is it called that?

A rattlesnake in the broadest sense of the term refers to the entire subfamily of pit vipers. They are called pitheads because of the two heat-sensitive pits between the eyes and nostrils.

By the way, with a rattle on the tail, making a rather loud rustle, there are only 2 types of rattlesnakes: real and dwarf.

Did you know?Sometimes in panic attacks pit snake begins to bite everything around, including herself, but her own poison is not dangerous for the reptile itself.

Peculiarities appearance rattlesnakes are:

• reptiles within the subfamily can differ both in coloring of almost all colors of the rainbow and patterns (rarely rattlesnakes are completely the same color), and in length, which varies from 0.5 m (ciliated viper) to 3.5 m (bushmaster);
• the pattern is mainly formed by intertwined thick stripes or rhombuses;
• the head of these representatives of reptiles is wedge-shaped with small eyes and two long hollow poisonous teeth;
• the pupils of rattlesnakes are vertical;
• thanks to heat-sensitive dimples on the muzzle, the snake in the dark recognizes the prey well due to the temperature difference between the prey and the environment. These receptors are able to detect a difference of 0.1 °C.
• at the end of the tail there are ring-shaped cornifications, which, as mentioned above, are not capable of producing a perceptible sound in everyone. The "rattle" in rattlesnakes is formed during molting. The skin peels off the body and, curling up into a ring, remains at the tip of the tail. So, segment by segment, the reptile's ratchet grows. Over time, the number of segments will develop in such a way that there will be enough rings in the rattle to make a characteristic sound. Gradually, some rings fall off, and others appear in their place. The cornifications are hollow inside and freely rub against each other, which gives rise to their characteristic sound. It is because of this feature that the subfamily of pit vipers was called rattlesnakes.

Is a bite dangerous: the effect of poison on a person

The bite of a rattlesnake is considered extremely dangerous to humans. It is difficult to predict how the poison will affect a particular person, since many factors affect the result, ranging from the site of the bite (the closer to the brain, the more dangerous) and ending with the psychophysical state of the victim.

If the toxin enters the bloodstream, it can lead to anaphylactic shock, kidney failure, difficulty breathing, internal bleeding, and death. Only in the USA, from 10 to 15 people die on average per year (you should take into account the prevalence of the antidote in those states where rattlesnakes live).

Among the common first aid mistakes is trying to decontaminate a wound with alcohol, which actually backfires. Alcohol dilates the blood vessels, and the poison is absorbed faster. Amputation of the bitten limb may also fail.

Important!The only real treatment is the administration of snake venom serum.

When bitten, do the following:

1. First of all, the affected person should be removed away from the place of attack in order to prevent subsequent bites.
2. Call an ambulance or go to the medical center yourself, where they can help.
3. The victim of a bite should move as little as possible, as this raises body temperature, which will only aggravate the situation.
4. Remove any jewelry or clothing that may constrict the limbs.
5. Wash the wound with water.
6. The bite area is best kept below the level of the heart.
7. If available, inject anti-snake serum yourself.

The rattlesnake itself is cowardly and does not attack if there is an opportunity to escape.

Where does the rattlesnake live

Pitheads live in very different conditions. There are species that live in desert or mountainous areas, in the jungle, there are even several aquatic representatives.

Rattlesnakes are most widespread in Southeast Asia (69 species) and in North and South America (106 species). Cottonmouths can be found in both hemispheres of the Earth, including the Far East and Central Asia.

The eastern muzzle lives in Japan, China and Korea, and the Himalayan is found at altitudes up to 5000 m above sea level. The habitat of rattlesnakes also includes Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Azerbaijan, Indochina, Java and Sumatra.

Rattlesnakes are active at night, also to avoid heat burn. Often they hide in the holes of small rodents, under fallen trees or under stones.
Before the onset of cold weather, reptiles come out of their shelters to bask in the sun. Pregnant snakes do this especially often. Most wintering species prefer to gather in the same place with their own kind in order to simplify heating during hibernation.

Did you know?Rattlesnake can die at a temperature environment over +45 °С.

What does it eat

Rattlesnakes are predators by nature. They feed mainly on small rodents, although birds, frogs, lizards, small snakes, rabbits, grasshoppers, cicadas and even fish are also present in their diet.

Pitheads infect prey with poison, acting from an ambush. At the moment before the attack, the neck of the reptile bends in the shape of the Latin letter "S", and the muzzle is directed towards the victim. The length of the throw, as a rule, is about a third of the length of the body.

It feeds on average once a week, consuming prey equal to half its own weight.

Who prey on the snakes themselves

The natural enemies of rattlesnakes are hawks, vultures, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, ferrets, some large snake species (for example, mussurans), hedgehogs, weasels, and martens. This is due to the fact that the poison of the pitheads does not act at all or has little effect on these animals.

Also, animals that eat rattlesnakes include pigs, through whose subcutaneous fat poisonous teeth make their way very hard. Even California running cuckoos can become a threat to the population.

And the most dangerous enemy for the described reptiles, of course, is the man himself, who hunts them because of the skin. And in some states of the United States and in the countries of Southeast Asia, snake meat is considered a delicacy and is in demand.

reproduction

In April-May (that is, after wintering), these snakes mate. Often the seed is stored in the female until the next season. Most pitheads are viviparous, but there are many species that lay eggs.

In a litter, depending on the species, there can be from 2 to 86 cubs. In ten-day-old snakes, for the first time, the skin is shed in such a way that a "button" is formed in the tail.
The female will be ready for the next mating in 2 years.

Rattlesnakes are dangerous representatives of their family, capable of killing a person when attacked. However, they rarely attack people and only when they feel threatened themselves, preferring to run away in most cases.

If you follow simple safety rules in the area where rattlesnakes live, you can avoid meeting these unusual predators.

The name of this snake in all languages ​​reflects the ability of the reptile to rattle, crackle, rumble. The noise it makes is reminiscent of the sound of maracas. But it's not the most fun music.

Description and features

According to the main version rattlesnake using a ratchet warns and scares off enemies. The design of the sound instrument is quite simple. During molting, a section of keratin plates forms at the tip of the tail. The sequence of these sections creates a structure capable of sounding: a ratchet, a rattle.

Special, shaker muscles shake the tip of the tail at a frequency of about 50 Hz. Vibration drives the rattle. This explains why is a rattlesnake called a rattlesnake.

The number of molts in a snake depends on the availability of food and growth rate. When discarding the old skin, the ratchet grows with another segment. Old sections may fall away. That is, the size of the ratchet does not indicate the age of the snake.

Scientists believe main feature these snakes are not the ability to crack, but the presence of two infrared sensors. They are located in the pits on the head, between the eyes and nostrils. Therefore, from the family of vipers, rattlesnakes were identified as a subfamily of pit vipers.

Infrared sensors work over a short distance. About 30-40 cm. This is enough to make night hunting for warm-blooded animals successful. Infrared receptors are very sensitive. They capture a temperature difference of 0.003 °C. They can work on their own or help the eyes by increasing image clarity in very low light.

The eyes of rattlesnakes, like infrared sensors, are focused on working at night. But rattlesnakes have poor eyesight. It captures movement. Fixed objects distinguishes with difficulty.

Unlike vision, snakes have excellent sense of smell. In the process of determining the smell, the nostrils and the snake tongue work, which delivers odorous molecules to the peripheral organs of the olfactory system.

Snakes do not have external ears. The middle ear is sensitive to sound. Focuses on the perception of soil vibrations transmitted through the skeletal system. Rattlesnake fangs contain ducts that are connected to venom glands.

At the time of the bite, the muscles located around the glands are compressed and the poison is injected into the victim. The system for generating poison and killing victims works from birth. Behind the active fangs are spare ones. In case of loss, poisonous teeth are replaced.

Kinds

Snakes, which without discounts can be attributed to rattlesnakes of the 2nd kind. These are true rattlesnakes (system name: Crotalus) and dwarf rattlesnakes (system name: Sistrurus). Both of these genera are included in the subfamily of the pitheads (system name: Crotalinae).

Relatives of real and dwarf rattlesnakes are such well-known reptiles as muzzles, spear-headed snakes, bushmasters, temple keffis. The genus of true rattlesnakes includes 36 species. The most notable of them:

• Rhombic rattlesnake. Found in the USA, Florida. The snake is large, up to 2.4 m in length. It produces from 7 to 28 cubs about 25 cm in size.

• Texas rattlesnake. Found in Mexico, USA and southern Canada. The length of the snake reaches 2.5 m, weight 7 kg.

• A monstrous rattlesnake. It got its name due to its large size. The length reaches 2 meters. Found in western Mexico.

• The horned rattlesnake gets its name from skin folds over the eyes that look like horns and are used to protect the eyes from sand. One of the smallest rattlesnakes. Its length is from 50 to 80 cm. This rattlesnake pictured often shows his "horns".

• A terrible rattlesnake, in Spanish-speaking countries is called cascavella. Inhabits South America. Rattlesnake bite scary, just like its name. It can lead to serious consequences if medical assistance is not provided in time.

• Striped rattlesnake. It lives mainly in the eastern United States. dangerous snake whose venom can be lethal.

• Small-headed rattlesnake. Distributed in central and southern Mexico. Small snake. Length no more than 60 cm.

• Rock rattler. It lives in the southern United States and in Mexico. The length reaches 70-80 cm. The poison is strong, but the snake is not aggressive, so there are few victims of bites.

• Mitchell's rattlesnake. Named after a doctor who studied snake venom in the 19th century. Found in the USA and Mexico. An adult reaches 1 meter.

• Black-tailed rattlesnake. It lives in the central part of Mexico and the USA. The title matches the main outward sign: rattlesnake tail black. Medium sized reptile. Does not exceed 1 meter in length. Lives long. A case of reaching the age of 20 was recorded.

• Mexican rattlesnake. Lives in central Mexico. The usual size of snakes is 65-68 cm. It has a bright pattern, different from other rattlesnakes.

• Arizona rattlesnake. Resident of Mexico and USA. The snake is small. Length up to 65 cm.
• Red rattlesnake. Inhabits Mexico and Southern California. Its length can reach up to 1.5 meters. The poison is potent. But the snake is not aggressive. There are few accidents involving her.

• Steineger's rattlesnake. It is named after the famous herpetologist Leonhard Steinger, who worked in the 19th-20th century at the Norwegian Royal University. The snake is found in the mountains of western Mexico. A very rare species. It grows up to 58 cm. It is distinguished by an inaudible rattle.
• Tiger rattlesnake. Lives in the state of Arizona and in the Mexican state of Sonora. It reaches a length of 70-80 cm. The poison of this reptile is considered one of the most effective among rattlesnakes.

• Cross-striped rattlesnake. A rare species found in central Mexico. Perhaps the smallest representative of true rattlesnakes. The length does not exceed 0.5 m.
• Green rattlesnake. The name reflects the gray-green color of the reptile. Lives in desert and mountain regions of Canada, USA and Mexico. Reaches 1.5 meters in length.

• Comb-nosed or Willard's rattlesnake. The people of Arizona have made this snake the symbol of the state. It is found in the United States and the northern states of Mexico. Grows up to 65 cm.

Only two species are included in the genus of pygmy rattlesnakes:

• Massasauga or chain rattlesnake. It lives, like most related species, in Mexico, the USA, in southern Canada. Does not exceed 80 cm in length.

• Millet pygmy rattlesnake. Lives in southeastern North America. The length does not exceed 60 cm.

Lifestyle and habitat

Rattlesnakes are native to America. The northern limit of the range is southwestern Canada. Southern - Argentina. Especially many species of rattlesnakes inhabit Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

Being cold-blooded animals, they make high demands on the temperature environment. Primarily, rattlesnake dwells in places where average temperature equal to 26-32 ° C. But withstands short-term temperature drops to -15 ° C.

During the colder months, when temperatures are below 10-12°C, snakes enter a hibernation-like state. Scientists call it brumation. Snakes gather in multitudes (up to 1000 specimens) in crevices and caves. Where they fall into suspended animation and wait out the cold season. These reptiles, awakened at the same time, can organize a whole rattlesnake invasion.

Nutrition

The menu of rattlesnakes includes small animals, including rodents, insects, lizards. The main hunting method is waiting for prey in an ambush. When potential prey appears, the unwary animal is thrown and hit with a toxic bite.

Rattlesnake venom- the main and only weapon. After killing comes the crucial moment of swallowing the victim. The process always starts from the head. In this embodiment, the paws and wings are pressed against the body and the entire swallowed object takes on a more compact form.

Digestive system copes even with indigestible food. But this takes time and the snake crawls away and settles in a safe, from her point of view, place. The digestion process works best at a temperature of 25 to 30 °C. need water. The body receives the bulk of the moisture from caught and swallowed animals. But fluid is not always enough.

Like most animals, snakes cannot drink. They lower the lower jaw into the water and through the capillaries in the mouth, they drive moisture into the body. It is believed that for a full-fledged existence, a snake needs to consume as much liquid per year as it weighs itself.

Reproduction and lifespan

Females are ready for procreation at 6-7 years, males at 3-4 years. An adult male can engage in mating games every year, the female is ready to prolong the genus once every three years. The mating season for rattlesnakes can run from late spring to early autumn. It all depends on the type of snakes and the characteristics of the territory in which they live.

Demonstrating readiness for procreation, the female begins to secrete a small amount of pheromones. A trail of these odorous substances remains behind a crawling snake. The male, having sensed the pheromones, begins to pursue the female. Sometimes they crawl nearby for several days. In this case, the male rubs against the female, stimulating her sexual activity.

There may be several courting males. They arrange a semblance of a struggle among themselves. Rivals lift woven upper bodies. This is how an individual is identified that has the right to mate.

In the process of mating, females receive male sperm, which they can store in the body until the next mating season. That is, to give birth to offspring even in the absence of contacts with males.

Rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous. This means that they do not lay eggs, but incubate them in their body. For this, a special organ “tuba” is intended. It is where eggs are hatched.

The female produces from 6 to 14 young rattlesnakes. The length of newborns is approximately 20 cm. They immediately begin an independent existence. Here they face difficulties. Many predators are ready to eat them, including birds and reptiles. Despite glands full of poison and teeth ready for action.

Rattlesnakes live long enough. About 20 years. Lifespan increases when kept in captivity up to 30 years.

What to do if bitten by a rattlesnake

Avoiding a snake bite is simple: just be alert when you hear rattlesnake sound. However, rattlesnakes sting 7-8 thousand people every year. Five people out of this number die. An important factor is the time during which the injured person seeks medical help. The main percentage of deaths occurs within 6-48 hours from the moment of the bite.

Under different circumstances, the victim receives a different dose of poison. A hungry, aggressive snake that has experienced significant fright releases more toxin. If burning pain and swelling around the bite site did not appear within an hour, then the person received the minimum amount of poison.

In 20% of episodes, a rattlesnake bite does not cause any consequences. Otherwise, a condition similar to food poisoning occurs, cardiac arrhythmia, bronchospasm and difficulty breathing, pain and swelling at the bite site. With these or similar symptoms, urgent medical attention is required.

Self-help is very limited in such cases. If possible, clean the wound. Keep the bitten limb below the heart line. Remember that the body of a panicked person copes worse with any intoxication. Immediate medical attention can nullify the consequences of unsuccessful communication with a rattlesnake.

Rattlesnake, rattlesnake belongs to the subfamily Rattlesnakes or Hollowheads (Crotalinae) of the Viper family. It’s worth clarifying right away that the subfamily Rattlesnakes is very numerous and includes more than 170 species. However, only two genera of snakes in this subfamily have a rattle at the end of the tail: the True rattlesnake (Crotalus) and the Pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus). It is about them that we will talk.

Where does the rattlesnake live?

The rattlesnake can be found mainly in North America. There it lives in dry deserts among low bushes, as well as in rocky areas near rivers and lakes. The rattlesnake settles in rodent burrows, which it expands if necessary. Can live in shelters among stones.

Appearance and biological features

The body length of a rattlesnake is usually 60-80 cm, but there are species about 1.5 m long. The color of the scales of the snake is dark gray with brown and black spots and stripes, but again different types drawing can be very different. The belly is yellowish with dark speckles. The head of a rattlesnake is triangular in shape. On it, between the eyes and nostrils, there are several thermoreceptor pits. They are very sensitive to infrared radiation and help the snake to detect the victim due to the difference in ambient temperature and body temperature of the victim itself. Due to the presence of these pits on the head of a rattlesnake, the subfamily to which it belongs was called the Pitheads.

Rattlesnakes can only see up close. Their eyesight and hearing are poor. But they are very sensitive to vibrations of the earth, air and heat. The small nostrils of a rattlesnake perceive odors well. In addition, the snake is able to catch them with its tongue, which has special sensitive receptors.

rattlesnake rattle

The most important and main distinguishing feature of the rattlesnake is the rattle at the end of the tail or ratchet. What is this device and why is it needed? The rattlesnake rattle is a skin formation consisting of several horny plates very similar to cones. These cones are slightly flattened and empty inside, and they are interconnected in such a way that they can move freely and rub against each other. It is due to the friction of the horn plates that the rattlesnake emits a characteristic rustling.

The rattle on the tail of a rattlesnake is formed as follows. During molting, the skin on the tail does not completely peel off, and its remnants roll up, forming a ring (cone). Many believe that the number of these rings can be used to determine the approximate age of a rattlesnake. However, such calculations will be very inaccurate, since a rattlesnake can molt more than once a year, and the next segment on the rattle is not always formed after each molt. In addition, rattlesnakes often lose their rattles from their tails, breaking them off in narrow crevices between rocks. After which they have to grow again.

There is an opinion that the rattlesnake is very dangerous, aggressive, tenacious and fast as lightning. This is not entirely true. And, as usual, on the site "" we will destroy interesting myths and tales about animals, replacing them with scientific facts.

In fact, the rattlesnake is rather cowardly and, having met a large animal or person, it never attacks first, preferring to remain unnoticed. And the rustling of a rattle on the tail does not mean at all that she is preparing for
attack. This indicates that the rattlesnake has been taken by surprise and is very nervous. The snake, as it were, warns that it does not want to go into conflict, but if it is disturbed, then it will certainly defend itself. But when a rattlesnake hunts, it does not betray its presence in any way and rushes at the victim without warning.

By the way, the speed of her body movement during the throw is greatly exaggerated. She rushes at the victim a little faster than the average person punches.

And she's not that survivable. For example, a temperature of 45 ° C can be fatal for her.

But the venom of a rattlesnake is really very dangerous, and can be fatal to humans. The bite of a rattlesnake is so strong that with its teeth it can easily break through durable leather shoes. However, these circumstances are mitigated by the fact that the rattlesnake lives mainly in an uninhabited desert area, where a person often does not need to walk and where it is not difficult to notice a snake. The rattle of a rattle will always warn you that you have invaded a rattlesnake's territory.

still exists interesting fact about the "suicide" of a rattlesnake. A wounded rattlesnake that senses doom is believed to attempt suicide by biting itself. Indeed, being in a panic, the rattlesnake seems to go crazy, starts to bounce and bite everything that is around it, even its own body. However, her own poison is not dangerous for her.

What does a rattlesnake eat?

Rattlesnakes living in captivity refuse to eat for a long time. Cases are known when snakes
starved for more than a year and did not even pay attention to the rats and mice running nearby. Under natural conditions, she eats once a week, eating food weighing half her own weight. Consumes small mammals, amphibians and birds. Hunts them at night, attacking from an ambush.

Quite often, rattlesnakes themselves become food for mammals, birds, and even fish. Ferrets, martens, weasels, eagles, peacocks, crows eat snakes, since their poison has a very weak effect on them. There was also information in the media that a Californian fisherman caught a trout with a 60 cm long rattlesnake in its stomach.

Domestic pigs are also not afraid of rattlesnake bites. A thick layer of subcutaneous fat protects the blood vessels, and the snake's venom cannot enter the bloodstream. And the pigs themselves are also not averse to eating a rattlesnake. Farmers take advantage of this feature and release a herd of pigs into the field before plowing it.

It will be interesting to watch a short video that was filmed by eyewitnesses who accidentally met a rattlesnake on their way in a mountainous area. From a safe distance, the snake does not look aggressive, but a loud hissing puts unusual pressure on the psyche and scares people away.