Rattlesnakes

There are more than 30 kinds of rattlesnakes. All rattlesnakes have a special tail. The tail’s tip is called a rattle. Rattlesnakes shake their tails when they sense danger.

Rattlesnakes have large, triangular heads. Their bodies have scales. Most rattlesnakes are brown, yellow, or tan. Their colors and patterns help them hide.

Rattlesnakes are in North America and South America. They live in warm areas. You can find them in deserts or forests. Rattlesnakes often hide in holes in rocks or logs.

Rattlesnakes eat smaller animals. They eat mice and lizards. They also eat birds and rabbits. Rattlesnakes bite their prey with fangs. The fangs have venom that kills the prey.

Female rattlesnakes have live babies. A group of babies is called a clutch. Rattlesnakes shed their skin each time they grow. Rattlesnakes live approximately 15 years.

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Rattlesnake Classification: Reptile
Diet: Carnivore
Endangered Status: Most are Least Concern, but a few species are Endangered and Critically Endangered.
Average Weight A rattlesnake weighs more than a textbook.
Average Length A rattlesnake is roughly the same size as an acoustic guitar.

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