Rattlesnakes, scientifically known as Crotalus or Sistrurus, are carnivorous reptiles characterized by their distinctive rattles at the end of their tails, with a size ranging from 1.5 to 8.5 feet and a weight of 2 to 15 pounds.
These reptiles, often light brown or gray, possess heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils, aiding in hunting, while their venomous fangs and continuously growing teeth are crucial.
Found across the Americas, with a common presence in the U.S. southwest, rattlesnakes inhabit varied terrains, including plains, deserts, and mountains, often seeking shelter.
Breeding typically occurs from June to August, with females capable of storing sperm for delayed reproduction, leading to a varied gestation period and live birth of offspring.
While most species are categorized as Least Concern, rattlesnakes face threats from predation and habitat loss, with some species, like the Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake.
Human encounters with rattlesnakes, often provoked or startled, result in thousands of bites annually in the U.S., with symptoms including swelling, pain, weakness, and nausea.
Rattlesnakes, stealthy hunters, feed primarily on small prey such as mice and birds, employing their venomous fangs to immobilize their victims before swallowing them whole