9 Of The Incredible Rattlesnake Facts

Rattlesnake Rattles Are Made From Keratin

The eponymous "rattles" at the conclusion of snake stories are a well-known feature of these animals.

They Add a Rattle Segment Each Time They Shed

Every time a rattlesnake sheds its old skin and grows new ones, their bodies instinctively add a new segment to their rattles.

There Are More Species in Arizona Than Anywhere Else

There are between 32 and 45 species of rattlesnakes known to science, and many of them are found in Arizona.

They Hear by Sensing Vibrations

Rattlesnakes are incapable of identifying sounds in the air because, like other snakes, they lack an eardrum in their inner ear structure.

Deadly Rattlesnake Bites Are Rare

Many of us have been raised to fear rattlesnakes because, well, they hiss, rattle, and will bite if they are provoked further.

Their Fangs Have Hinges

Rattlesnakes have particularly large fangs because they are solenoglyphous snakes that are a member of the viper family.

Rattlesnake Eyes Have Vertical Pupils

Rattlesnakes, in contrast to grass snakes, have eyes with vertical pupils that resemble cat's eyes.

Females Have Live Births

Since they are ovoviviparous, rattlesnakes do not lay eggs. Instead, before giving birth to live offspring, female rattlesnakes carry and incubate their eggs inside of them for about ninety days.

Their Facial Pits Sense Heat

This is partially because rattlesnakes can see tiny prey even in total darkness thanks to heat-sensitive holes on either side of their heads.