Scientific classification: Rattlesnakes are members of the subfamily Crotalinae within the family Viperidae. The pygmy rattlesnake is classified as Sistrurus miliarius, and the eastern diamondback is Crotalus adamanteus.
Introduction
The Rattlesnake are also called rattler any of the 30 species of venomous snakes characterized by a horny rattle at the tip of the tail, rattlesnake sound which is shaken vigorously to warn off intruders. Rattlesnakes are members of a larger family of poisonous snakes called pit vipers. Pit vipers have heat-sensitive pits on the sides of their heads that help them detect warm-blooded prey
Physical Description
Rattlesnakes vary widely in size. The pygmy rattlesnake rarely reaches 0.6 m (2 ft) in length and 113 g (4 oz) in weight. The largest rattlesnake is the eastern diamondback, which can grow to just under 2.5 m (8 ft) and weigh 9 kg (20 lb). Rattlesnakes have stout bodies and flattened, triangular heads. Most rattlesnakes are typically gray or brownish, rattlesnake sound although some have bright yellow or burnt orange markings. Many have blotched patterns, typically a series of light-bordered dark hexagons down the center of the back and a dark streak running from each eye to the angle of the jaw.
Reproduction
Reproduction among rattlesnakes is initiated by the female, whose skin releases a chemical scent called a pheromone when she is ready to mate. The male rattlesnake follows the scent trail to the female and courts her by crawling alongside and over her and nudging her body with his head. Copulation occurs when the male inserts one fork of his double penis, rattlesnake sound or a hemipenis, into a chamber in the female’s body called the cloaca.
Rattlesnakes give birth to live young that have hatched inside of the mother’s body. Females typically have broods of about 4 to 12 young, although females of some large species may give birth to more than 20 young at a time. The young are usually born between August and October. The mother may remain near her young for several days after they are born, rattlesnake sound but like other snakes, rattlesnakes must feed and care for themselves from birth. Young rattlesnakes are able to attack prey within minutes after being born. Among most species, rattlesnakes measure 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 in) at birth and reach maturity after about three years.
Conservation
The most endangered rattlesnake is the Aruba Island rattlesnake; only about 250 adults of this species are thought to survive in the wild. The ridge-nosed rattlesnake of New Mexico is considered endangered by the United States Fish, rattlesnake sound and Wildlife Service. Another threatened rattlesnake is the timber rattlesnake, which has disappeared from Canada and is considered an endangered species within several individual states of the United States.