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Rattlesnakes are pit vipers known for their warning rattle, heat-sensing pits, folding fangs, and other adaptations. Here are 12 facts about how they find prey and navigate their surroundings—and why it is safest to give them plenty of space.
1. “Rattlesnake” covers more than one group of snakes
The name rattlesnake mainly refers to species in the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus. They are pit vipers in the family Viperidae.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service currently lists 44 recognized Crotalus species, although species totals can change as taxonomists revise classifications. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service taxonomy provides a current reference.
2. The rattle is made from the same material as human fingernails
A rattlesnake’s rattle is built from hollow, interlocking segments of keratin—the tough protein also found in human hair and fingernails. Tail muscles move the segments rapidly, causing them to strike one another and produce the familiar buzzing sound.
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The rattle is part of the tail. A new segment is generally added after a shed, and the sound can warn other animals of the snake’s presence.
3. You cannot reliably tell a rattlesnake’s age by counting its segments
A common claim says that each rattle segment represents one year of life. It does not. A segment may be added after a shed, but shedding frequency varies with factors including age, growth, health, and species. Segments can also break off.
A long rattle therefore does not necessarily belong to an old snake, and a short rattle does not prove that a snake is young.
4. A rattlesnake can vibrate its tail astonishingly fast
Depending on the species and the snake’s temperature, reported rattle rates range from about 20 to 100 vibrations per second. Warmer snakes generally rattle faster.
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5. A silent rattlesnake can still be close by
The rattle is a warning, not an alarm that sounds whenever a person enters the area. A threatened rattlesnake may remain motionless or rely on camouflage rather than rattle. Wind, vegetation, distance, or a damaged rattle can also make the sound difficult to notice.
Do not assume an area is snake-free because no rattle is audible. Give any snake plenty of room and avoid reaching into places you cannot see.
6. Facial pits let them detect heat
Rattlesnakes have a heat-sensing pit between each eye and nostril. A sensitive membrane in each pit detects small differences in infrared radiation from nearby animals, helping the snake locate warm-bodied prey.
The pits provide information that complements other senses, including vision and chemical detection.
7. Their forked tongues collect chemical clues
When a rattlesnake flicks its tongue, it gathers molecules from the air and surrounding surfaces. The tongue transfers these chemical particles to the vomeronasal organ, also called Jacobson’s organ, in the roof of the mouth.
The forked tongue collects chemical information from the snake’s surroundings; it does not smell in the ordinary way.
8. Their fangs fold like hypodermic needles
Rattlesnake fangs are hollow teeth connected to venom ducts. When the mouth is closed, the fangs fold back against the roof of the mouth. During a strike, they swing forward to deliver venom.
The venom glands are located toward the rear of the upper jaw. A strike moves venom through the fangs and into the target.
9. Not every bite injects venom
Venom is metabolically expensive, and rattlesnakes primarily need it to subdue prey. Some bites are “dry bites,” in which little or no venom is injected.
Never assume a bite is dry. Treat any rattlesnake bite as an emergency and seek urgent medical care.
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10. Most rattlesnakes give birth to live young
Most rattlesnake species are generally described as ovoviviparous. Embryos develop inside eggs retained within the mother’s body, and the young emerge alive rather than hatching from eggs laid in a nest.
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Timber-rattlesnake young, for example, are born with functional fangs and venom. Newborn rattlesnakes are not harmless because they are small.
A newborn’s tail begins with a button-like structure. After subsequent sheds, it develops into a larger rattle.
12. Sidewinders cross loose sand in a distinctive way
The sidewinder has a specialized way of moving across loose desert sand. It moves sideways, lifting parts of its body and placing them down in a series of angled tracks. This helps reduce slipping and limits the amount of belly contacting the heated surface.
The National Park Service reports observed sidewinder speeds of up to 18 miles per hour.
What to do if you encounter a rattlesnake
- Stop and give it room. Do not approach, corner, poke, or attempt to move the snake.
- Back away slowly. Keep a safe distance and leave the snake an escape route.
- Do not rely on the rattle. A snake may remain quiet or be difficult to hear.
- Seek urgent care after a bite. Do not assume the bite is harmless or dry.
Sources include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Smithsonian’s National Zoo, and Animal Diversity Web.
FAQ
Are rattlesnakes aggressive toward people?
Rattlesnakes may warn or defend themselves when threatened. Give them space and leave them an escape route.
Can you tell how old a rattlesnake is from its rattle?
No. Rattle segments are added after sheds, but shedding frequency varies and segments can break off. Counting segments does not reliably reveal age.
Are baby rattlesnakes dangerous?
Yes. Timber-rattlesnake young are born with functional fangs and venom, so do not approach or handle a young rattlesnake.
What should you do after a rattlesnake bite?
Treat any rattlesnake bite as an emergency and seek urgent medical care. Do not assume it is a dry bite.
The Bottom Line
Rattlesnakes have a keratin rattle, heat-sensing pits, chemical detection, folding fangs, and other adaptations. Give them plenty of space, and seek urgent medical care after any bite.
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