Rattlesnake Information

There are 16 separate species of rattlesnakes that live in the United States. Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes and fall under the category of pit vipers. The rattlesnake's trademark is a rattle at the end of its tail that can be shaken when the animal feels threatened, creating a buzzing noise that alerts whatever is near to the snake's presence. There are rattlesnakes throughout the US, living in many different ecosystems.

Characteristics

All rattlesnakes have a head that is triangular in shape. The eyes have pupils much like that of a cat and the snake is covered entirely with scales. Rattlesnakes come in different color patterns depending on the species. Rattlesnakes are a stocky snake and possess large fangs that fold into the mouth when not in use. The hinged mouth can open wide. Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, meaning they have special heat-sensitive organs beneath their nostrils which allow the creature to find prey in the dark.

Geography

Rattlesnakes are found in every one of lower 48 states in the US. These reptiles can survive anywhere that there is a large rodent population to provide sustenance and where there is sufficient cover. From sea level to elevations as high as 13,000 feet rattlesnakes exist. There is a much larger amount in places such as deserts and the Great Plains states but in the eastern and the northern states species such as the timber rattler, the eastern massasauga rattler, and the Eastern diamondback rattler can be found.

Diet

The vast majority of a rattlesnake's diet consists of rodents. The larger rattlesnakes are capable of killing and eating jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and cottontail rabbits, while the medium to smaller rattlers easily can consume mice, voles, rats, and squirrels. Birds that build nests on the ground are at risk of becoming a rattlesnake meal as are the eggs they lay. Lizards and amphibians are also on the menu of many rattlesnakes. These snakes will consume their prey whole.

Effects

The bite of the rattlesnake is capable of injecting venom that can result in tissue damage. The circulatory system can be adversely affected as blood cells are destroyed and hemorrhaging occurs in the tissues. The nervous system can be immobilized in some people. The signs of a rattlesnake bite are puncture marks in the victim along with a burning pain at the site of the bite. The area will swell and can become discolored and numb. The person will experience bouts of nausea and dizziness along with having a hard time breathing.

Misconceptions

While less than 12 people a year die from rattlesnake bites in the US each year on the average it is still a serious situation. One of the biggest misconceptions about a rattlesnake bite is that it can be helped by cutting around the wound and attemtping to suck out the venom. There is no viable medical evidence to suggest that this works but it can lead to dangerous infections. A tourniquet is also not advisable since it can cut the blood flow off to the region and result in possible loss of a limb.