What Makes a Rattlesnake's Tail Rattle?

The subject of rattlesnakes can be a very sensitive or a fascinating matter, depending on the person talking about them. There are over 15 different varieties of rattlesnakes, and there are several subspecies and color variations--all of which can be identified by the jointed rattles and triangular head.

Pit Viper

History

Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded animals that can be found in Northern Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Canada. Rattlesnakes are found in all states in the U.S., except Alaska, Maine, Delaware and Hawaii.

Fact

Rattlesnakes are born with a pre-button on their rattle that sheds a week after birth and is replaced with one segment, called a button (rattle), which is noiseless.

Segments

The rattle of a rattlesnake can vary tremendously in size. Rattlesnakes in the wild may break or damage their rattle and the average size can range from four to five segments in length. However, some captive snakes can have up to 20 segments.

Rattle

Three to four times a year rattlesnakes shed their skin adding segments to the base of the tail, which makes the rattle. When vibrated, the rattle makes a loud buzzing sound as a warning to attackers or victims.

Venom

All rattlesnakes have two large hollow fangs, connected by small tubes to venom glands, which are folded back into the roof of their mouth.

References

• Rattlesnake's Tail

Resources

• Rattlesnake Facts