Like all pit vipers, rattlesnakes have two organs that can sense radiation; their eyes and a set of heat-sensing "pits" on their faces that enable them to locate prey and move towards it, based on the prey's thermal radiation signature. These pits have a relatively short effective range of about 1ft, but give the rattlesnake a distinct advantage in hunting for warm-blooded creatures at night. [26] [27] Heat-sensing pits located in blue circle on a rattlesnake specimen: Location of the pit is the same in all Viperidae. 1. Trigeminal nerve extending into the heat-sensing pit 2. Trigeminal nerve originating in the brain 3. Heat-sensing pit Heat-sensing pits [ edit ] In the colder winter months, some rattlesnake species enter a period of brumation, which is dormancy similar to hibernation.

Hammerson, Geoffrey A. (2004). Connecticut wildlife: biodiversity, natural history, and conservation. UPNE. p.328. ISBN 978-1-58465-369-1. Rattlesnakes are the leading cause of snakebite injuries in North America and a significant cause in Central and South America. [43] [81] Avoiding bites [ edit ] Females secrete small amounts of sex pheromones, which leave a trail the males follow using their tongues and Jacobson's organs as guides. [66] Once a receptive female has been located, the male often spends several days following her around (a behavior not common outside of the mating season), frequently touching and rubbing her in an attempt to stimulate her. [67] [68] This article is about the reptile. For other uses, see Rattlesnake (disambiguation) and Rattler (disambiguation). Rattlesnake

a b Luch, Andreas, ed. (2010). Molecular, Clinical and Environmental Toxicology. Vol.2. Springer. p.267. ISBN 978-3-7643-8337-4. Place, Arron J.; Abramson, Charles I. (2004). "A Quantitative Analysis of the Ancestral Area of Rattlesnakes". Journal of Herpetology. 38 (1): 151–156. doi: 10.1670/103-03N. S2CID 86252575. Creases in the epidermal tissue connect the scales of rattlesnakes. When ingesting large prey, these creases can unfold, allowing the skin to expand to envelop a much greater volume. The skin appears to tightly stretch to accommodate the meal, but in reality, the skin is simply smoothing out from its creased state and is not under very high tension. [65] Reproduction [ edit ] Two male northern Pacific rattlesnakes ( C. oreganus oreganus) engage in a "combat dance" Everted hemipenis of a male C. adamanteus An estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, with about five deaths. [88] The most important factor in survival following a severe envenomation is the time elapsed between the bite and treatment. Most deaths occur between 6 and 48 hours after the bite. If antivenom treatment is given within two hours of the bite, the probability of recovery is greater than 99%. [89] Moon, Brad R. (2001). "Muscle Physiology and the Evolution of the Rattling System in Rattlesnakes". Journal of Herpetology. 35 (3): 497–500. doi: 10.2307/1565969. ISSN 0022-1511. JSTOR 1565969.

An important function of the skin is the sensation of changes in air temperature, which can guide the snakes towards warm basking/shelter locations. [62] All snakes are ectotherms. To maintain a stable body temperature, they exchange heat with their external environments. Snakes often move into open, sunny areas to absorb heat from the sun and warmed earth, a behavior known as basking. Nerves in the skin regulate the flow of blood into the veins near the surface. [61] These fun little magnetic toys produce a buzzing or rattling type sound when played with. These powerful magnets are tons of fun, great for hand-eye coordination, and are a fantastic stress reliever. MADE FROM SAFE COMPONENTS a b c Fleisher, Gary R.; Ludwig, Stephen, eds. (2010). Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (6thed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p.1548. ISBN 978-1-60547-159-4. Climate Changes Faster Than Species Can Adapt, Rattlesnake Study Finds", Science Daily, Dec. 05, 2011

Lynn, W. Gardner (September 1931). "The Structure and Function of the Facial Pits of Pit Vipers". American Journal of Anatomy. 49: 97–139. doi: 10.1002/aja.1000490105.

Meier, Jürg; White, Julian, eds. (1995). Handbook of clinical toxicology of animal venoms and poisons, Volume 236. CRC Press. p.639. ISBN 978-0-8493-4489-3.Myers, Bob (1991). "Rattles". American International Rattlesnake Museum. Albuquerque, New Mexico. Archived from the original on 2022-06-30. We have a 30-day return policy, which means you have 30 days after receiving your item to request a return.

Aztec paintings, Central American temples, and the great burial mounds in the Southern United States are frequently adorned with depictions of rattlesnakes, often within the symbols and emblems of the most powerful deities. [99] Newborn rattlesnakes are heavily preyed upon by a variety of species, including cats, [22] ravens, crows, roadrunners, raccoons, opossums, skunks, coyotes, weasels, whipsnakes, kingsnakes, and racers. Young of the smaller crotaline species are frequently killed and eaten by small predatory birds, such as jays, kingfishers, and shrikes. Some species of ants in the genus Formica are known to prey upon neonates, and Solenopsis invicta (fire ants) likely do, as well. On occasion, hungry adult rattlesnakes cannibalize neonates. The small proportion (often as few as 20%) of rattlesnakes that make it to their second year are heavily preyed upon by a variety of larger predators, including coyotes, eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, feral pigs, badgers, indigo snakes, and kingsnakes. [23] Rattlesnakes tend to avoid wide-open spaces where they cannot hide from predators, and generally avoid humans if they are aware of their approach. [82] Rattlesnakes rarely bite unless they feel threatened or provoked. A majority of victims (about 72% [83]) are males. Around half of bites occur in cases where the victim saw the snake, yet made no effort to move away. [36] Jensen, Bjarke; Abe, Augusto S.; Andrade, Denis V.; Nyengaard, Jens R.; Wang, Tobias (2010). "The heart of the South American rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus". Journal of Morphology. 271 (9): 1066–1077. doi: 10.1002/jmor.10854. ISSN 1097-4687. PMID 20730920. S2CID 206091017. Amerello, Melissa; Smith, Jeffrey; Slone, John (2011). "Family values: Maternal care in rattlesnakes is more than mere attendance". Nature Precedings. doi: 10.1038/npre.2011.6671.1.Goldfrank, Lewis R., ed. (2006). Goldfrank's toxicologic emergencies (8thed.). McGraw-Hill Professional. p.1657. ISBN 978-0-07-147914-1. Weinstein, Scott A.; Smith, Leonard (1990). "Preliminary fractionation of tiger rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris) venom". Toxicon. 28 (12): 1447–1455. doi: 10.1016/0041-0101(90)90158-4. The skin of rattlesnakes is intricately patterned in a manner that camouflages them from their predators. [62] [63] Rattlesnakes do not generally have bright or showy colors (reds, yellows, blues, etc.), instead relying on subtle earth tones that resemble the surrounding environment. [64] I had two for many years as thay say small things little minds but thay take the stress away just rolling in your hand nois make a entertaining time. a b c d e Cetaruk, Edward W. (2005). "Rattlesnakes and Other Crotalids". In Brent, Jeffrey (ed.). Critical care toxicology: diagnosis and management of the critically poisoned patient. Elsevier Health Sciences. p.1075. ISBN 978-0-8151-4387-1.