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Ordinary rattlesnake or rattlesnake ( Latin name"Crotalus durissimus") is a species of reptile, order Scaly, family Viper, subfamily Pit-headed.

Appearance
Home distinctive feature the common snake (like all representatives of this genus) - the presence of a special rattle or rattle at the end of the tail, consisting of a series of horny cones nested into each other and sitting on the last 6-8 caudal vertebrae, expanded and fused together. The ratchet represents a modification of the tail scales. The cones that make up the rattle are not formed during molting, and their number does not correspond to the number of molts.

Common body length rattling The snake reaches 1.6 meters (the largest specimens reach 2 meters) in length. From above, the snake's body is gray-brown with irregular black stripes. The body below is yellowish-white with small black dots.

Lifestyle

Common rattlesnakes live primarily in uninhabited, dry, rocky areas where there is water nearby. It settles mainly in the burrows of rodents and shore swallows, expanding them if necessary, as well as under stones. It is nocturnal, although it often basks in the sun. The rattlesnake feeds on small mammals, birds and amphibians.

The rattlesnake is lazy and motionless, although it can crawl quickly in pursuit of prey. The breeding season for rattlesnakes begins in the spring, and the snakes often gather in large balls, like common vipers. In August, the female lays eggs, from which young snakes emerge within a few minutes.

Habitat

The common rattlesnake is widely distributed on the North American continent from the Gulf of Mexico to 46° northern latitude. In the western part of the United States of America is located greatest number representatives of this reptile species. In the eastern part of the continent, the rattlesnake is practically not common in the north.

Danger!!!

The rattlesnake itself does not attack humans. When approached, it curls up in a ring, raises its head and tail and strongly moves its rattle, emitting a characteristic rustling noise, which is often heard while crawling. Thus, the snake warns people of danger. If you move away from the snake at this time, it will maintain its threatening pose for some time, and then calmly crawl away, but if you get confused and approach it, then a bite is inevitable. During an attack, the rattlesnake opens its mouth wide, thrusting its poisonous teeth forward. Even the thickest jeans will not save you from a rattlesnake bite, since the snake has quite long and sharp teeth.

I rattlers snakes have a neuroparalytic effect on the human body. A few hours after the bite, dizziness, nausea, and profuse sweating appear. Later, breathing becomes difficult and heart problems arise. If you consult a doctor in time, the bitten person can be saved. Full recovery occurs only 2-3 weeks after treatment.

The name of this snake in all languages ​​reflects the reptile’s ability to rattle, rattle, and rattle. The noise it makes is reminiscent of the sound of maracas. But it's not the most fun music.

Description and features

According to the main version, rattlesnake uses a rattle to warn and scare away enemies. The design of the sound instrument is quite simple. When shedding, a section of keratin plates forms at the tip of the tail. The sequence of these sections creates a structure capable of sound: a rattle, a rattle.

Special, shaking muscles shake the tip of the tail with a frequency of about 50 Hz. Vibration activates the rattle. This explains why is a rattlesnake called a rattlesnake?.

The number of times a snake sheds depends on the availability of food and its growth rate. When the old skin is shed, the ratchet grows another segment. Old sections may fall away. That is, the size of the ratchet does not indicate the age of the snake.

Scientists believe that the main feature of these snakes is not the ability to chatter, but the presence of two infrared sensors. They are located in the pits on the head, between the eyes and nostrils. Therefore, from the family of vipers, rattlesnakes were separated into the subfamily of pit vipers.

Infrared sensors operate over a short distance. About 30-40 cm. This is enough to make night hunting for warm-blooded animals successful. Infrared receptors are very sensitive. They detect a temperature difference of 0.003 °C. They can work independently or assist the eyes, increasing image clarity in very low light.

The eyes of rattlesnakes, like infrared sensors, are designed to work in the dark. But rattlers' eyesight is poor. It captures movement. It is difficult to distinguish stationary objects.

Unlike vision, snakes’ sense of smell is excellent. In the process of detecting smell, the nostrils and the snake's tongue work, which delivers odorous molecules to the peripheral organs of the olfactory system.

Snakes do not have external ears. The middle ear does not perceive sound well. Focused on the perception of soil vibrations transmitted through the skeletal system. Rattlesnake fangs contain ducts that are connected to venom glands.

At the moment of the bite, the muscles located around the glands contract and the poison is injected into the victim. The system for generating poison and killing victims works from birth. Behind the existing fangs there are spare ones. In case of loss, poisonous teeth are replaced.

Kinds

Snakes, which without discounts can be classified as rattles of the 2nd genus. These are the true rattlers (system name: Crotalus) and the pygmy rattlers (system name: Sistrurus). Both of these genera are included in the subfamily Pitcapidae (system name: Crotalinae).

Relatives of true and pygmy rattlers are such famous reptiles as copperhead snakes, spearhead snakes, bushmaster snakes, and temple keffiyehs. The genus of true rattlesnakes includes 36 species. The most notable of them:

• Diamondback rattlesnake. Found in the USA, in Florida. The snake is large, up to 2.4 m in length. Produces from 7 to 28 cubs measuring about 25 cm.

• Texas rattlesnake. Found in Mexico, USA and southern Canada. The length of the snake reaches 2.5 m, weight 7 kg.

• Monstrous rattlesnake. It got its name due to its large size. The length reaches 2 meters. Found in western Mexico.

• The horned rattlesnake gets its name from the folds of skin above its eyes that look like horns and are used to protect the eyes from sand. One of the smallest rattlesnakes. Its length ranges from 50 to 80 cm. This rattlesnake in the photo often shows off his “horns”.

• A terrible rattlesnake, called cascavella in Spanish-speaking countries. Inhabits South America. Rattlesnake bite scary, just like its name. It can lead to serious consequences if medical assistance is not provided in time.

• Striped Rattlesnake. It lives mainly in the eastern United States. Dangerous snake, the poison of which can cause death.

• Small-headed rattlesnake. Distributed in central and southern Mexico. Small size snake. Length no more than 60 cm.

• Rock rattlesnake. It lives in the southern USA and Mexico. The length reaches 70-80 cm. The venom is strong, but the snake is not aggressive, so there are few victims of bites.

• Mitchell's rattlesnake. Named after a doctor who studied snake venom in the 19th century. Found in the USA and Mexico. An adult reaches 1 meter.

• Black-tailed Rattlesnake. It lives in central Mexico and the USA. The name corresponds to the main external sign: rattlesnake tail black. A medium-sized reptile. Does not exceed 1 meter in length. Lives long. Cases of reaching 20 years of age have been recorded.

• Mexican rattlesnake. Lives in central Mexico. The usual size of snakes is 65-68 cm. It has a bright pattern, different from other rattlesnakes.

• Arizona rattlesnake. Resident of Mexico and the USA. The snake is small. Length up to 65 cm.
• Red rattlesnake. Inhabits Mexico and Southern California. Its length can reach up to 1.5 meters. The poison is potent. But the snake is not aggressive. There are few accidents involving her.

• Steineger's rattlesnake. Named after the famous herpetologist Leonard Steinger, who worked at the Royal Norwegian University in the 19th-20th centuries. The snake is found in the mountains of western Mexico. Very rare view. Grows up to 58 cm. It is distinguished by an inaudible rattle.
• Tiger rattlesnake. Lives in Arizona and the Mexican state of Sonora. It reaches a length of 70-80 cm. The venom of this reptile is considered one of the most effective among rattlers.

• Striated rattlesnake. A rare species found in central Mexico. Perhaps the smallest representative of true rattlers. The length does not exceed 0.5 m.
• Green rattlesnake. The name reflects the gray-green color of the reptile. Lives in desert and mountainous regions of Canada, USA and Mexico. Reaches 1.5 meters in length.

• Willard's combed or rattlesnake. The people of Arizona have made this snake a symbol of the state. Found in the USA and northern Mexico. Grows up to 65 cm.

The genus of pygmy rattlesnakes includes only two species:

• Massasauga or chain rattlesnake. It lives, like most related species, in Mexico, the USA, and southern Canada. Does not exceed 80 cm in length.

• Millet pygmy rattlesnake. Lives in southeastern North America. Length does not exceed 60 cm.

Lifestyle and habitat

America is the homeland of rattlesnakes. The northern border of the range is southwestern Canada. South - Argentina. Especially many species of rattlesnake inhabit Mexico, Texas and Arizona.

Being cold-blooded animals, they have increased demands on the temperature environment. Mostly, rattlesnake lives in places where the average temperature is 26-32 °C. But it can withstand short-term temperature drops down to -15 °C.

During the cold months, when temperatures are below 10-12 °C, snakes enter a hibernation-like state. Scientists call it brumation. Snakes gather in large numbers (up to 1000 specimens) in crevices and caves. Where they fall into suspended animation and wait out the cold season. These reptiles, awakened at the same time, can organize a whole rattlesnake infestation.

Nutrition

The menu of rattlesnakes includes small animals, including rodents, insects, and lizards. The main method of hunting is waiting for the prey in ambush. When potential prey appears, it lunges and injures the unwary animal with a toxic bite.

Rattlesnake venom- the main and only weapon. After killing comes the crucial moment of swallowing the victim. The process always starts from the head. In this version, the paws and wings are pressed against the body and the entire swallowed object takes on a more compact appearance.

The digestive system copes even with indigestible foods. But this takes time and the snake crawls away and settles in a place that is safe, from its point of view. The digestion process works best at a temperature of 25 to 30 °C. need water. The body gets most of its moisture from caught and swallowed animals. But there is not always enough liquid.

Like most animals, snakes cannot drink. They lower the lower jaw into the water and, through the capillaries located in the mouth, drive moisture into the body. It is believed that in order to fully exist, a snake needs to consume as much liquid per year as it weighs.

Reproduction and lifespan

Females are ready for procreation at 6-7 years, males at 3-4 years. An adult male can engage in mating games every year, the female is ready to prolong the genus once every three years. The mating season for rattlesnakes can range from late spring to early fall. It all depends on the type of snake and the characteristics of the territory in which they live.

Demonstrating readiness for procreation, the female begins to secrete a small amount of pheromones. A trail of these odorous substances remains behind the crawling snake. The male, sensing pheromones, begins to pursue the female. Sometimes they crawl around for several days. At the same time, the male rubs against the female, stimulating her sexual activity.

There may be several courting males. They arrange a kind of fight among themselves. The opponents raise their intertwined upper bodies. This is how an individual who has the right to mate is identified.

During the mating process, females receive the male's sperm, which they can store in their bodies until the next mating season. That is, to produce offspring even in the absence of contact with males.

Rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous. This means that they do not lay eggs, but incubate them in their body. A special “tuba” organ is designed for this purpose. Eggs are hatched in it.

The female gives birth to 6 to 14 young rattlers. The length of newborns is approximately 20 cm. They immediately begin an independent existence. Immediately they encounter difficulties. Many predators are ready to eat them, including birds and reptiles. Despite glands full of poison and teeth ready for action.

Rattlesnakes live quite a long time. About 20 years. Lifespan increases when kept in captivity to 30 years.

What to do if bitten by a rattlesnake

It’s easy to avoid a snake bite: just be alert when you hear rattlesnake sound. However, 7-8 thousand people are stung by rattlers every year. Five people out of this number die. An important factor is the time during which the injured person seeks medical help. The main percentage of deaths occurs 6-48 hours after the bite.

Under different circumstances, the victim receives a different dose of poison. A hungry, aggressive snake that has experienced significant fright releases more toxin. If burning pain and swelling around the bite site do not appear within an hour, then the person has received a minimal amount of poison.

In 20% of cases, a rattlesnake bite does not cause any consequences. Otherwise, a condition similar to food poisoning occurs, cardiac arrhythmia, bronchospasm and difficulty breathing, pain and swelling at the site of the bite. If these or similar symptoms occur, immediate medical attention is required. medical institution.

Self-help is very limited in such cases. If possible, the wound should be washed. Keep the bitten limb below the heart line. Remember that the body of a panicking person copes worse with any intoxication. Immediate medical assistance can nullify the consequences of unsuccessful communication with a rattlesnake.

Every rattlesnake is venomous, but not all have the tail rattle that gives its name to this vast subfamily with more than two hundred species.

Description

Rattlesnakes (in the broad sense of the term) include one of the subfamilies included in the viper family. Herpetologists classify them as Crotalinae, at the same time calling them rattlers or pitheads (due to a pair of thermolocator pits planted between the nostrils and eyes).

Surukuku (they are also formidable bushmasters), temple keffiyehs, jararaks, millet rattlesnakes, urutu, American spearhead snakes - all this crawling variety belongs to the subfamily Crotalinae, consisting of 21 genera and 224 species.

One of the genera bears the proud name Crotalus - real rattlers. This genus includes 36 species, including miniature dwarf rattlers, about half a meter long, as well as diamondback rattlers (Crotalus adamanteus), reaching up to 2 and a half meters. By the way, many herpetologists consider the latter to be the classic and most beautiful rattlesnakes.

Appearance of a snake

Pit snakes differ from each other both in size (from 0.5 m to 3.5 m) and in color, which is usually polychrome in nature. The scales can be painted in almost all colors of the rainbow - white, black, steel, beige, emerald, reddish-pink, brown, yellow and more. These reptiles are rarely monochromatic, not afraid to show off intricate patterns and bold colors.

The main background often looks like an interweaving of thick stripes, streaks or diamonds. Sometimes, as in the case of the Celebes keffiyeh, the predominant color (bright green) is only slightly diluted with thin blue and white stripes.

Rattlesnakes are related by a wedge-shaped head, two elongated fangs (through which the poison passes) and a tail rattle made of ring-shaped keratinous structures.

Important! Not all reptiles are equipped with rattles - for example, copperheads do not have them, as well as the Catalina rattlesnake, which lives on the island. Santa Catalina (Gulf of California).

The tail rattle is needed by the snake to scare off enemies, and its growth continues throughout its life. A thickening at the end of the tail appears after the first moult. During subsequent molts, fragments of old skin cling to this growth, leading to the formation of a raised ratchet.

When moving, the rings are lost, but most of them remain to serve as a tool to intimidate/warn the enemy. The vibration of the raised tail, topped with a rattle, indicates that the reptile is nervous and you better get out of its way.

According to Nikolai Drozdov, the sound of the vibrating rings is similar to the crackling sound produced by a narrow film film projector and can be heard at a distance of up to 30 meters.

Lifespan

If rattlesnakes lived the entire lifespan allotted to them by nature, they would not leave this world before 30 years. At least, this is how long pitheads live in captivity (with and without food natural enemies). In the wild, these reptiles do not always reach twenty, and the vast majority die much earlier.

Range, habitats

According to herpetologists, almost half of the rattlers (106 species) live on the American continent and quite a lot (69 species) live in Southeast Asia.

Cottonmouths are named as the only pitheads that have penetrated both hemispheres of the earth.. True, there are significantly fewer of them in North America - only three species. Two (eastern and common copperheads) were found on Far East our country, in Central Asia and Azerbaijan. The eastern one is also found in China, Japan and Korea, whose inhabitants have learned to prepare excellent dishes from snake meat.

The common copperhead can be seen in Afghanistan, Iran, Korea, Mongolia and China, and the humpback can be seen in Sri Lanka and India. The smooth copperhead lives on the Indochina Peninsula, Sumatra and Java. The Himalayan prefers mountains, conquering peaks up to 5 thousand meters.

The Eastern Hemisphere is home to a variety of keffiyehs, the most impressive of which is considered to be a resident of Japan - a one and a half meter tall haba. Mountain keffiyeh is found on the Indochina Peninsula and the Himalayas, and bamboo keffiyeh is found in India, Nepal and Pakistan.

Other pithopolas called bothrops are also common in the Western Hemisphere. The most numerous rattlers in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay are considered to be jararaks, and in Mexico - urutu.

Rattlesnake Lifestyle

Pitheads are such a diverse community that its members can be found anywhere, from deserts to mountains. For example, the water muzzle “grazes” in swamps, wet meadows, and the banks of ponds and rivers, while Bothrops athrox prefers tropical jungles.

Some rattlers almost never leave the trees, others feel great confidence on the ground, and still others prefer rocks.

On hot afternoons, rattlesnakes rest under boulders, trunks of fallen trees, under decaying leaf litter, at the base of stumps and in holes left by rodents, gaining vigor closer to dusk. Nocturnal activity is typical for the hot season: in cool seasons, snakes move around during the daytime.

Reptiles that feel chilly during the cold season, as well as pregnant ones, often take sunbathing.

This is interesting! Many rattlers remain faithful for years to the once chosen hole, in which their numerous descendants continue to live. The hole seems to be passed down by inheritance for tens and hundreds of years.

Huge colonies of snakes live in such a family lair. The first foray, hunting, mating and even seasonal migrations take place near the burrow. Some species of rattlers winter in big companies, warming each other during hibernation, others stay apart.

Diet, prey

Rattlers, like typical ambush predators, take a position and wait for the prey to approach within throwing distance. A signal of an upcoming attack is the S-shaped bend of the neck, in which the head of the rattlesnake looks towards the enemy. The length of the throw is equal to 1/3 of the length of the snake's body.

Like other vipers, pit vipers kill prey with venom rather than using chokeholds. Rattlesnakes feed mainly on small warm-blooded animals, but not only on them. The diet (depending on the area) contains:

• rodents, including mice, rats and rabbits;
• birds;
• fish;
• frogs;
• lizards;
• small snakes;
• insects, including cicadas and caterpillars.

Adolescent snakes often use their brightly colored tail tip to lure frogs as well.

During the day, rattlesnakes find prey using their normal senses of vision, but an object frozen without movement may not be noticed. At night, temperature-responsive pits come to their aid, distinguishing fractions of degrees. Even in pitch darkness, the snake sees the thermal contour of the prey created by infrared radiation.

Enemies of the rattlesnake

This is, first of all, a person who destroys reptiles in the excitement of the hunt or out of unjustified fear. Quite a few rattlers have been crushed on the roads. In general, the population of pitheads, like other snakes, on the planet has decreased significantly.

Factors that reduce the number of rattlesnakes include night frosts, which are deadly for newly hatched juveniles.

Rattlesnake Reproduction

Most viviparous rattlers mate after wintering (in April-May) or later, depending on their range. Often, summer sperm is stored in the female’s body until the following spring, and only in June does the reptile lay eggs. There are from 2 to 86 (Bothrops atrox) pieces in a clutch, but on average 9-12, and after three months the offspring are born.

As a rule, before laying eggs, females crawl 0.5 km away from their burrow, but it happens that snakes hatch right in the family nest. After 2 years, the female, having regained her strength, will be ready for the next mating.

At the age of 10 days, rattlers shed their skin for the first time, during which a “button” is formed at the tip of the tail, which eventually turns into a rattle. Around the beginning of October, the snakes try to find their way to their native hole, but not all succeed: some die from the cold and predators, others go astray.

Male pitheads reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age, females at 3 years of age.

Synonyms and names in other languages

Rattler, noisy viper

Rattlesnake

Classification

Squad— Scaly (Scuagmata).

Family— Viperidae.

Subfamily- Pitheads (Crotalinae).

Genus - Rattlesnakes (Crotalus).

View- Rattlesnake (Crotalus simus).

There are more than 120 species of rattlesnakes. They live in many countries of the North and South America, as well as in Asia. In Central Asia and the Far East there lives a similar species of snake - the common copperhead.

The pit vipers, the subfamily that includes the noisy vipers, are a very versatile group, its representatives live almost everywhere, from deserts to mountains and wet jungles, there are also aquatic species.

During the day they usually hide under stones or in rodent burrows. These snakes' heat-sensitive pits help them find cooler places to rest.

Appearance

Size The rattlesnake is usually between 1.5 and 1.7 meters in length, with larger specimens also found.

Like other members of the family, pitheads have a pair of relatively long, hollow, poisonous teeth used to secrete venom. The head is triangular in shape, the pupils of the eyes are vertical

Predominantly terrestrial species, more active at night.

Character

Dangerous poisonous snake, its bite is often fatal to humans.

In a moment of danger, a rattlesnake assumes a pose of threat - its body is curled with the help of powerful muscles into a tight spring, ready to unfold at any moment with terrible force, and the tail end is curled into a spiral ring, in the center of which a rattle-rattle is raised vertically, emitting a distinct rustling sound. . At the same time, the front part of the body has the appearance of a high column.

Terrarium for a rattlesnake you need a large, horizontal type, size approximately 60 - 100 cm in length and 60 cm in height. It is recommended that the terrarium be divided into two parts so that the snake can be isolated during cleaning. Ventilation holes are required at the top and bottom of the terrarium. You can use pine bark or coconut chips as a substrate. For climbing and as shelter, you need to install several driftwood in the terrarium. It is good to place a tree stump under an incandescent lamp or a mirror lamp; the snake can bask on it. You can put damp sphagnum moss in one of the corners of the terrarium; the snake can bury itself there if it wants. A drinking bowl is necessary; the water in it should be changed daily. Artificial plants can be placed in the terrarium as shelters.

Temperatureair during the day 25 - 28°C, at night 2 - 3°C degrees lower. For heating, you can use a thermal cord or a thermal mat.

Humidityair should be kept high, around 70%. Be sure to spray the terrarium and the snake itself daily.

Lighting fluorescent lamps for 9 - 10 hours a day.

Feeding

In a terrarium, the rattlesnake's main food is rodents - adult rats. Usually they are placed in a terrarium, giving the snakes the opportunity to hunt on their own.

Long-term fasting of rattlesnakes has been noted - in zoos it sometimes reaches up to nine months, and even rats introduced to them in the form of live food do not arouse interest, however, just as they do not feel fear of snakes and their potential victims - the noise of rattles only arouses their curiosity. There is a known case where rats killed a rattlesnake. During fasting, snakes drink water, bathe, shed their skin, and only then are they ready to eat.

Vitamin and mineral supplements should be added to the feed in courses.

Peculiarities

A distinctive feature of a rattlesnake is a rattle at the end of the tail made of keratinized movable segments, which, with rapid vibrations of the tail from side to side - up to 70 per second - rub against each other and produce a peculiar, clearly audible rustling sound, a little like the chirping of a film projector. Snakes are not born with a rattle; it appears in a growing snake over the course of several molts.

Deadly poisonous.

Refusal to eat may be caused by stress, an unsuitable food item, a new food item, an unusual food item for the species, or the snake is simply not hungry. You shouldn’t force-feed a snake right away, because they can live long enough without food without harm to their health. You should start to worry if the snake does not eat for several months. Then you need to analyze the conditions of detention and the diet of the snake before the problem begins. Artificial feeding of a rattlesnake is not recommended.

Regurgitation may occur due to stress, illness, too much food, feeding during molting, disturbance temperature regime. After regurgitation, you should not feed the snake for 7 - 10 days, then you should feed the snake again, taking into account the error analysis.

Shedding - This is not a disease, but a necessary stage of the snake's growth. At the same time, the snake’s eyes become cloudy, the color brightens, and the skin begins to peel off. During this period, you should monitor the humidity in the terrarium and the presence of a reservoir.

Respiratory infections- usually they are caused by opportunistic bacteria in the event of a decrease in the snake’s immunity as a result of stress due to improper conditions. Symptoms: difficulty breathing, open mouth, nasal discharge. It is treated with an antibiotic - baytril, by injection.

Breeding

It reproduces quite easily. After the male and female are planted, frequent spraying of the terrarium is necessary to simulate the rainy season. After mating, the female will lay up to 40 eggs, from which hatch cubs measuring from 25 to 32 cm, weighing from 25 to 45 grams; after the yolk sac is reabsorbed, they begin to feed on newborn mice.

Lifespan about 15 years.

More than a century ago in America, a story known throughout the country was often told. The hero of the story was an American priest who taught a rattlesnake to rattle its tail before prayer began, thus giving a signal. There was also another legend well known about gold miner Olin Young, who, having caught a rattlesnake, took it as his guard, and carefully trained it. There were rumors that when someone approached the house, the snake began to rattle its tail, making unpleasant sounds, thereby scaring away the stranger. When the owner of the house returned, the snake fell silent.

Science has proven that snakes are quite intelligent and have a gentle nature. They never attack unless touched. Just like wasps, bees and other animals. But, to be more precise, rattlesnakes never bite at all. When a snake attacks, it does not bite the victim, but for a split second plunges two razor-sharp teeth into the body of the victim, leaving two bright spots on the surface of the skin. If this animal leads an underground lifestyle, then the snake will pierce the soil until it reaches its victim dead.

As eyewitnesses who encountered the snake say: “The rattlesnake is a rather lazy animal.” Yes this is true. As already mentioned, if you don’t touch the snake, then it won’t touch it either. Moreover, if a snake is nearby, it can easily be recognized by the sound of its “tail rattle.” But, if someone does not recognize the snake in time or somehow angers it, then it will be very bad for him. Snake bites are extremely dangerous. Her teeth pierce right through a thick stick, not to mention the skin of an animal or a person. Then, with lightning speed, a powerful poison is injected, which kills in a matter of minutes. “But there are animals that are not afraid of these snakes at all. For example, pigs,” wrote Alfred Brehm.

The main feature of the rattlesnake is the “rattle” at the end of its tail, which begins to rattle desperately as soon as the snake senses danger. By the way, it was not by chance that the snake received such an adaptation from nature. The first rattlesnakes appeared in nature during the Tertiary era. At the end of the era there was mass extinction these animals, and those that had the most dangerous poison and the loudest rattle survived.

When a baby rattlesnake is born, a rattle embryo forms at the end of its future tail. When the snake begins to change its skin, the rudiment falls off and the first segment of the “rattle” is formed. The finished rattle is several empty cone-shaped capsules tightly adjacent to each other.

As the snake grows, a new segment is added to the tail exactly every four months. In total, an adult snake's rattle has up to fifteen complete segments.