Characteristics of a Rattlesnake

There are 16 different varieties of rattlesnakes worldwide. In America, rattlesnakes are found mostly in the Southwestern states, but there are some rattlesnakes in most states. All rattlesnakes have rattles; the easiest way to identify a rattlesnake is by the sound of its rattle. To distinguish between species of rattlesnakes, you have look carefully at the color and pattern of its scales. All other characteristics are the same.

  1. The Head, Eyes and Nostrils

    • All rattlesnakes will have a broad, triangular-shaped head. The eyes are also interesting in that they look similar to a cat's eye. While rattlesnake eyes aren't as large as a cat's eye or glow like a cat's eye, rattlesnakes do have vertical pupils that are distinct. Like a cat, their eyes help them see in dim light, which helps with night hunting. The nostrils on a rattlesnake help sense their prey. Rattlesnakes' nostrils are in the front of their face and contain strong olfactory cells that pick up the scent of warm-blooded creatures and humans. No ears are found on the rattlesnake, though. They sense prey and threats through vibrations.

    The Tongue

    • A distinguishing characteristic in the rattlesnake's mouth is a forked tongue. These tongues are as sensitive to the environment as a dog or cat's sense of smell is. Their tongues pick up microscopic particles first which are then are perceived by the tongue touching an area of the upper mouth called the Jacobson's organ. Through this organ, information is sent to the rattlesnake's brain so it can make a judgment of what may be prey or a threat.

    Fangs

    • The mouth of the rattlesnake may scare a sensitive person since rattlesnake bites are the least appealing thing about them. When a rattlesnake opens its mouth, it can open as wide as 180 degrees so they can devour prey such as rodents or even lizards. Inside the mouth are tubular fangs that fold out once the mouth is open. The venom of a rattlesnake gets injected into its prey, or into human beings, through the fangs. The fangs act basically as hypodermic needles. Venom in a rattlesnake isn't consistent. Some venom will contain hemotoxins that destroy cells, and other venom will have the more dangerous neurotoxins that can cause death by respiratory failure.

    Scales, Patterns and Body Size

    • Different species of rattlesnakes will have different scale patterns and colors on their body. Some scales are brown, grayish black, a slight yellow or even light pink in color. But, overall, keeled scales are a strong identifier. Scales also have a little raised ridge section in the center of each. Patterns on rattlesnakes will vary and can range from diamond-shaped patterns to no pattern at all. Most rattlesnakes are around 3 to 4 feet in length.

    The Rattle

    • Arguably the most ominous part of a rattlesnake is the mechanism used to warn people that the snake feels threatened. The rattle sits at the end of the rattlesnake tail, is segmented and made up of keratin, the same material making up fingernails on a human being. Those segmented parts of the rattle grow gradually through a rattlesnake's life. But the rattle sound itself is produced by those segments rubbing against each other while being moved back and forth at a fast rate. According to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a rattlesnake can move its rattle up to 60 times per second.