Class - Reptiles
Squad - Scaly
Family - Pit snakes
Genus/Species - Grotalus atrox. Texas rattlesnake
Basic data:
DIMENSIONS
Length: about 1.7 m, sometimes more than 2 m.
Weight 0.5-7 kg.
REPRODUCTION
Puberty: from 3-6 years.
Mating season: spring.
Development of the embryo: 3-4 months.
Number of cubs: up to 20 (depending on the size of the mother).
LIFE STYLE
Habits: Rattlesnakes (see photo) stay solitary and hibernate in groups.
Food: small warm-blooded animals and birds; young individuals hunt
on frogs and lizards.
Lifespan: up to 20 years.
RELATED SPECIES
Red (C. ruber) and rhombic (C. adamanteus) rattlers.
The Texas rattlesnake is a fairly well-known venomous rattlesnake. Its bite is dangerous for humans, as it can cause serious consequences and often leads to death. Scientists have proven that this peace-loving animal attacks people only for the sake of forced self-defense.
WHAT DOES IT EAT?
The Texas rattlesnake preys on almost all mammals and birds that it is able to swallow whole. The size of this rattlesnake's mouth and its ability to stretch are impressive, since even a meter-long snake can swallow an adult rabbit. There are two ways of hunting for a rattlesnake - it lies in wait for its prey in a shelter, or it itself goes in search of it, examining all the holes, bushes and crevices between stones along the way. Like other snakes, the Texas rattlesnake is completely deaf, however, it is sensitive to temperature differences and picks up the slightest vibrations of the ground that occur during the movement of animals.
RATTLESNAKE AND MAN
Man has always been afraid of the rattlesnake, unreasonably considering it a dangerous and aggressive snake. In fact, the Texas rattlesnake is a calm animal that will never bite anyone much larger than itself, unless, of course, it is provoked. The rattlesnake's bad reputation comes at a cost: in the southern United States, mass killings of these snakes occur, after which the skin is removed and the meat is consumed. It has become a kind of sport. In addition, rattlesnakes are kept in special serpentariums for their poison.
LIFESTYLE
In cold weather, the Texas rattlesnake becomes active only during the day, warming itself in the rays of the sun. In summer, when daytime temperatures rise very high, the rattlesnake is nocturnal, resting part of the day in an underground burrow located among the rocks. Rattlesnakes perform special dances that were once considered part of a mating ritual. Now it has become known that this is how they demonstrate their strength - they compete without causing injury. In winter, 30 or more rattlesnakes gather in one underground burrow to spend the winter together, warming each other with body heat. The general background of the body of the Texas rattlesnake is grayish-brown, with rhombic spots separated by white stripes. The tail is light, with black transverse lines.
REPRODUCTION
The mating season for Texas rattlesnakes is April - May. Mating itself lasts from 1 to 24 hours. Rattlers are ovoviviparous snakes. The embryos develop in the egg shells in the mother's body, and the baby snakes are born in late August - early September.
The advantage of ovoviviparity is that, while in the mother’s body, the embryos are protected from the harmful effects of external factors. About 20 baby snakes are born.
FEATURES OF THE DEVICE
The rattle at the end of a snake's tail is made up of 14 or more segments of old, keratinized skin. The horny scales are connected to each other like links in a chain. The first ring of the rattle is firmly connected to the body. The rattles of adult snakes consist of a constant number of elements, since old links break off, and only then new ones grow. With the help of a rattle, the snake distracts attention, and also warns and scares away the enemy.
- Rattlesnake venom contains hemotoxins that cause swelling and hemorrhage. The venom of cascavela (tropical rattlesnake) also contains neurotoxins.
- Almost all rattlers live in North America. Only one species, cascavela, is found in South America (Argentina).
- Unlike dwarf rattlers, true rattlers have a well-developed rattle (up to 20 or more segments). Pygmy rattlers have only 12 of them.
- Rattlesnakes are considered the crowning achievement of venomous reptiles. They have the most developed apparatus of poisonous teeth.
CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF THE TEXAS RATTER
Poisonous teeth: long, hollow inside, during a bite they act as needles - through them the poison is injected into the victim’s body. Behind the main poisonous teeth there are secondary ones, which are used in case of damage to the front ones.
Forked Tongue: The rattlesnake constantly tests the air with it, trying to smell its prey.
Eyes: vertical pupils dilate to allow as much light as possible into the eyes.
Facial pits: located on the sides of the head between the nostrils and eyes. They contain thermoreceptors that are able to sense a source of high temperature (a warm-blooded animal) due to the difference in the temperature of its body and the external environment with an accuracy of 0.2 ° C.
- Habitat of the Texas rattlesnake
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
Lives in deserts and semi-deserts in southwestern North America and northern Mexico, from Arkansas to the Colorado River basin.
PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION
Now the number of the species is relatively stable. To preserve the rattlesnake, it is necessary to strengthen control over the catching of these snakes.
Rattlesnake swallows mouse prey! Video (00:02:48)
The desert mouse jumps from place to place and therefore is more difficult for predators to catch. The lifespan of such mice is approximately 700 days. While searching for plant seeds, a mouse climbs out and runs straight into a rattlesnake. Using slow-motion cameras, this allows you to see the very moment the snake attacks the mouse in slow motion. Throwing a snake is a series of muscular and reflex movements. In 1/20 of a second, the snake manages to bare its poisonous teeth and bite the mouse. The unfortunate mouse is doomed.
Time Warp - Rattlesnake and Spitting Cobra. Video (00:17:20)
Thanks to high-speed, high-definition cameras, you will see movements that nature hid from our eyes.
Rattlesnake A severed head can deliver a fatal bite. Video (00:02:06)
Even after a rattlesnake's head is cut off, it can still deliver a fatal bite because a rattlesnake's bite is poisonous.
Wow! Rattlesnake VS King Snake Fight! Video (00:03:15)
Rattlesnake throw. Documentary. Video (00:46:17)
Horned rattlesnake. Video (00:01:26)
The horned rattlesnake is a snake from the rattlesnake family of the United States
Anaconda and rattlesnake Who will be eaten. Video (00:06:30)
A woman was bitten by a rattlesnake. Video (00:01:27)
Rattlesnake bites woman in garden
The rattlesnake can usually be found in Northern. Most often it settles in burrows and can live among stones. This species of snake belongs to the viper family and the pit viper subfamily.
If you look closely, it will become clear why such a species as the pitheads is classified as rattlesnake, photo They will tell you for themselves - between the nostrils and eyes you will see several dimples.
They help snakes find prey because they contain thermoreceptors that analyze the temperature of the environment. They quickly detect the slightest change in temperature if prey appears nearby.
It's like second sight, which helps you quickly find and attack the victim. Rattlesnake poisonous. She has several elongated teeth, from which poison is released when bitten.
Why is the rattlesnake? This name comes from several species that have a “rattle” on their tail. It consists of moving scales that make sounds when the tail oscillates.
Rattlesnake Habitat
These easily and quickly adapt to any terrain. There are species that live in jungles, others in deserts, some even in water or in trees. Rattlers do not like direct sunlight, so they try to be nocturnal.
During the day, they most often hide in holes or under stones, but at night they begin their hunting period. The victims, as a rule, are small rodents. Moreover, according to research, rattlesnakes constantly improve their hunting skills.
That is, they develop and progress. They can return to the same ambush site for years to hunt. During the winter, snakes hibernate, and usually all gather together to warm each other.
Rattlesnake Bite Danger
Who didn't watch? movie "Rattlesnakes"! It was with him that the panicked fear of rattlers began. Rattlesnake Infestation really started to scare people. After all rattlesnake bite poisonous, and the serum may not be on hand. If we talk about the danger of a bite to a person, it depends on many factors.
Of course, qualified medical assistance and serum, which is produced on the basis of poison, are necessary. It is believed that the closer the bite is to the head, the more dangerous it is to life. The bite site should not be treated with alcohol, as it will only speed up the effect of the poison. In general, it is better not to apply anything to the wound; you need to wait for help. Everything will depend on the location of the bite, the amount of poison, and the speed of medical care.
However, it is worth saying that I use snake venom in small doses as medicine. For example, in diseases such as leprosy, when severe bleeding needs to be stopped. Even though snakes are poisonous, they still often become victims of other animals.
Many animals and birds are not affected by the poison, for example, pigs, ferrets, vultures, crows. And people, through their activities, reduce the population of rattlers, because in many countries they are even eaten, and bags, wallets, and shoes are made from leather.
Rattlesnake lifespan and reproduction
The lifespan of a rattlesnake is usually 10-12 years. However, some individuals can live much longer. In the serpentarium, where the poison is collected, snakes live very short lives, and the reasons are unknown, but in the zoo, with proper care, the life expectancy is the same as in the wild.
In essence, it is believed that the smaller the snake, the longer it lives, with the average size of individuals generally ranging from eighty centimeters to a meter. True, there are snakes that reach one and a half meters.
Rattlers are viviparous, and the offspring hatch from the eggs almost immediately after the mother lays them. Moreover, an interesting fact is that baby snakes are already born with a bright rattle on their tail. They use it to attract victims, although at first it is not so big.
With each molt, the size of the rattle will increase, however, it will not be possible to determine the age of the individual from the scales, since they are lost, and the number of molts varies among snakes.
Interesting facts about the rattlesnake
These snakes are non-confrontational. They are not the first to attack humans; they usually only defend themselves. However, every year about a hundred people die from bites of these animals. Individuals overheat and die already at +45 degrees. The teeth of the rattlesnake are very sharp; they can easily pierce leather shoes.
Scientists have noticed that when she is near death, she begins to behave very strangely. She rushes at everyone, tries to bite everything that gets in her way, even her own body. It is assumed that the snake is trying to commit suicide, but this has not been proven; perhaps it is trying to cure itself with the help of its own poison.
Rattlesnakes are amazing. It's a pleasure to watch them. Nowadays, many different films and series of programs have been shot about these amazing animals. In order to watch an interesting, educational film, just enter the key phrase in the search bar: “ Rattlesnake video».
Among the proposed options, everyone can find an educational film about rattlesnakes for themselves. In our country, these snakes can only be found in zoos, which is undoubtedly encouraging. It’s good that these insidious predators are not found in our area, and you can admire them in the zoo, or while watching a movie on TV.
April 10th, 2016 , 10:35 pm
Original taken from suqalubov How does a rattlesnake's tail work?
Poisonous snakes from the subfamily of pit vipers with a rattle on their tail are called true rattlers (Crotalus). The genus includes 36 species; these snakes live only on the American continents.
On average, true rattlers do not exceed a meter in length, although in some species there are two-meter individuals. Their tail rattle, formed from keratinized ring-like structures, produces a loud cracking sound when vibrating. Only the only representative of the genus, the Catalina rattlesnake (lat. Crotalus catalinensis), does not have a “sound process,” as well as young individuals.
Studying these reptiles, scientists found that they become capable of producing sound after the second one grows to the first ring, but the size of the “ratchet” is not related to the age of the snake. The fact is that this part of the tail is renewed every time the rattlesnake sheds its skin, but this can happen once a year, or several times, depending on nutrition and living conditions. In addition, the snake promptly replaces its damaged areas, including the rather vulnerable tip of the tail. But with each update the number of rings may increase.
The tail is hollow inside; the sound is produced due to the friction of these horny rings against each other. You can verify this with the help of an educational video showing the structure of the rattle rattle.
WikiHow works like a wiki, which means that many of our articles are written by multiple authors. This article was produced by 48 people, including anonymously, to edit and improve it.
The rattlesnake belongs to the subfamily of pit vipers, which live in the United States, Canada and Mexico. In Central and South America they are ubiquitous, but in Russia there are only two species. Contrary to the traditional idea of these snakes, they do not hunt humans, but feed on rats, mice, gophers, small birds, frogs and even sometimes large insects. At the same time, the rattlesnake's main instinct is self-defense. In fact, a snake is a very vulnerable animal because it is small in size and does not have legs or ears, and the poison that enters the attacker’s blood with a bite helps it defend itself. If you encounter a rattlesnake, proceed with caution, always practice safety and pay attention.
Know when and where you may encounter a rattlesnake. Most often, people find these snakes on hikes, while mountaineering, in tent camps, and just while walking in the wild.
- Typically, rattlesnakes live in hot climates (many like deserts), but some prefer cool places (like the diamondback rattlesnake). Most species of rattlesnakes live in the southern United States and Mexico, although they are also found in other regions (desert areas of Canada, etc.).
- Most often, rattlesnakes come out of their hiding places on warm summer evenings at sunset and after it - in the summer they are most active at night. At this same time of day, human eyes begin to see worse, so be careful. Wear good boots and take a flashlight if you're going out at night.
- Rattlesnakes love warmth. At any time of the year, even in winter, these snakes can go in search of a warm place. The optimal air temperature for them is 21-32°C.
- Rattlesnakes generally do not sit in open areas. If they do come to the surface, they move very quickly because they do not want to become prey to predators, including humans and large animals. Therefore, rattlesnakes are most often found near rocks, in bushes and any other places where a snake can hide. However, on hot days, snakes like to bask on hot stones or asphalt.
Choose suitable clothing. If you are in areas where these snakes are common, consider your outfit carefully. Most often, snakes bite on the arms, legs and ankles, so don’t put your hands in places you don’t want to, and take care of protective clothing.
- Skip the sandals. You will need good quality, thick boots and good socks. Boots that cover the ankle are best. In desert areas, do not wear sandals, open-toed shoes or go barefoot, because otherwise you may suffer from more than just a snake bite.
- Wear long, loose pants.
- Use leggings whenever possible, especially if you are wearing short pants.
Be careful when hiking, mountaineering, or walking. If you are in a rattlesnake area, consider how the snake might behave to help you anticipate its actions.
- Always go hiking with someone. If you get bitten by a snake while you are walking alone, you could get into trouble. Always take your mobile phone with you and warn relatives or friends about where you are going and when you should return.
- Don't disturb the snake. The surest way to avoid a snake bite is to stay out of its way. Be careful when hiking or walking, stick to established routes, and stay away from tall grass, bushes, and weeds, as snakes may be hiding there.
- Do not put your hands under rocks, in holes, in bushes or overturn logs, because there may be snakes in all these places. If you need to reach or move something, use a long, strong stick.
- Don't sit on stumps or logs without checking to see if anyone is underneath them.
- Step on logs and rocks rather than over them. If you step over something and stand on the ground, you can scare the snake, which will respond with a bite.
- If you need to jump over something, look around where you land. Snakes react to the vibration of the surface, so they sense the approach of a person, but if you suddenly step on the ground next to them, they will not have time to hide and will be forced to attack.
- Take a stick with you and use it to check bushes or tall grass if you need to go through there. The snake will be afraid of the stick and will try to crawl away as quickly as possible.
- If you come across a rattlesnake, carefully and slowly back away and move in the other direction.
- Be careful with water. Snakes can swim, so what appears to be a stick may very well be a snake.
- Don't provoke the rattlesnake. If you anger a snake, you will become its victim. Remember that biting is a defensive response to a possible threat, so if you poke a snake with a stick, throw rocks at it, kick it, or tease it, you're asking for trouble. In addition, if the snake is defending itself, and not just making a warning bite, the toxicity of the venom will be higher (and if the snake simply did not understand what happened, there may not be venom in the bite, but this is just a possibility). However, no matter the venom, the more angry you make the snake, the more likely it is to attack you.
- Leave the snake alone. Often those who suffer from bites are those who heroically try to rid the world of yet another annoying snake. But these snakes don't really bother anyone! But they will try to bite you if you start showing aggression towards them. Live yourself and let others live! Step aside and the snake's path will hide in its natural environment. Remember that an injured snake is a very dangerous opponent.
Use caution when setting up a tent city. It is necessary to remember some of the dangers associated with this type of recreation.
- Inspect the camp site before setting up tents there. Break up the town in daylight. On warm nights, snakes come out of hiding, so if you can't see what you're doing, you could get into trouble.
- At night, close the window in your tent, because a snake can crawl through it. Before going to bed, check if there is a snake in the tent - it may be attracted by the warmth and the opportunity to hide under the roof.
- Warn anyone using the tent to keep the window closed at all times.
- Shake out sleeping bags before getting into them. Tourists often find uninvited guests in their bags.
- Be careful when collecting logs for the fire. Snakes love to hide under logs.
- When going for a night walk, take a flashlight with you.
Keep an eye on the children. Children are usually curious and do not understand many dangers. This can end badly in the wild, so teach your children about rattlesnakes, how to avoid running into one, and what to do if they do find one. If there are children in the group of tourists, one adult should go in front of the entire procession, and the other should go behind.
Heed the warning signs! This applies to both signs installed by people and the behavior of the snake.
- Remember the signs that a snake is about to attack. As a rule, these are very general signs. Sometimes none of the signs will be noticeable because the snake can bite from any position if necessary.
- The snake curled up into a ring. This position allows her to make a strong leap forward.
- The head is raised.
- The rattle shakes and makes a rattling sound.
- Don't forget that rattlesnakes don't always make a specific sound before attacking. For example, if you stand on the ground right next to a snake, it will not have time to warn you with a thundering sound and will immediately bite. Sometimes rattlesnakes stop making these sounds altogether because they do not want to use them to indicate their presence (for example, during molting, mating, and childbirth). Often snakes rely on the fact that their color alone will be enough to become invisible, not realizing that this will not save them from a human foot. If the rattle gets wet, it will also not make sounds. In order for a rattle to make noise, it must have at least two or three links, so baby rattlesnakes are silent, but poisonous. Don't forget about all these nuances. Otherwise, consider the rattling sound a warning and step back.
- Listen to the warnings of the administration of parks and other natural areas. If you are told there are rattlesnakes in the area, take it seriously.
Remember from what distance a snake can bite. This distance is usually between a third and half the length of the snake. A snake can strike faster than you even realize what has happened, so if you underestimate the snake's length, it will strike further than you expect.
Remain calm if you or someone in your group is bitten by a snake. Although you will be scared, it is important not to flinch as this will speed up the spread of the venom throughout your body. Do not move, do not be nervous and call an ambulance immediately. It is important to get medical attention as soon as possible to prevent the poison from spreading. The bitten area should be below the level of the heart - do not lift it, because this will only increase blood circulation, causing the poison to quickly enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. Wash the bite site, remove all jewelry and tight clothing (with swelling, tightness can lead to poor circulation and tissue necrosis).
Re-read this article every time you plan to travel to an area where rattlesnakes live. Share this information with anyone traveling with you and ask them to be careful, calm and look around.
- Rattlesnakes are most likely to bite people in April and October, the months when these snakes are most active.
- Don't let your dog run around in long grass in the wild. Snakes also bite dogs, and pets are more likely to die from snake bites than people because they are smaller.
- If a rattlesnake has crawled into your garden or home, call emergency services. Don't lose your composure - in any dangerous situation it is important to remain calm.
- In the Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake, the rattle does not make any sounds because it lacks the tail segments common to these snakes.
- More people die from bee and wasp stings than from rattlesnake bites.
- Most people are afraid of snakes. However, it is important to understand the role these creatures play in nature. Snakes reduce the population of rodents that damage crops, destroy grain in warehouses and spread disease. A decrease in the snake population always leads to an increase in the number of rodents. In addition, snakes are a food source for predators.
- Sometimes small snakes get into boats. If this happens to you, calmly moor to the shore and remove the snake with an oar or long stick.
- The common belief that baby rattlesnakes are more venomous than adults is unfounded. Adult snakes have larger venom glands than small ones, so when a baby snake releases its venom, the amount of venom will be less than half that of an adult snake.
The rattlesnake is considered one of the most dangerous reptiles. She is a representative of the pit family. This animal lives mainly in the countries of Southeast Asia, America and Russia.
How does a rattlesnake groom itself? The animal's head has a triangular shape, the pupils of the eyes are vertical. The length of an adult individual can reach more than one and a half meters. A characteristic feature of representatives of this species is the presence of two long hollow teeth, from which a deadly poison is released. On the head of reptiles, between the eyes and nostrils, there are two thermoreceptor pits that allow them to recognize the prey by the difference in temperature. These amazing receptors are able to respond to even the slightest changes in air temperature (0.1 degrees). This feature allows the animals to hunt quite successfully even at night.
The rattlesnake got its name from the rattle located at the tip of its tail. It consists of movable modified scales. During the vibration process, they hit each other, producing a characteristic “rattle” sound.
All families of pitheads feed mainly on small vertebrate mammals. They can lie in ambush for quite a long time, waiting for the victim to get as close as possible, and then suddenly attack it. For wintering, rattlesnakes choose places where they can feel comfortable, basking against each other, throughout the entire hibernation period. In autumn, reptiles try to crawl out into the sun as often as possible to bask in its rays.
Almost all representatives of the pit family are viviparous. A few minutes after laying the eggs, the young offspring rupture the shell and are born. Adult snakes tirelessly ensure that no one approaches the nest with their offspring. When young, snakes' tails are brightly colored, contrasting with the color of the entire body. At the same time, young animals do not have a rattle at the tip of the tail; it appears much later.
Like many other scaly reptiles, rattlesnakes molt periodically. After each skin change, an additional new keratinized segment appears on the animal's rattle. In young snakes, molting occurs quite often - up to six times a year. For adults - once every year and a half. Before the animal starts molting, it loses its transparency and becomes cloudy. At this time the snake is unable to see. She spends almost all her time in hiding until her vision returns. The tongue helps the snake navigate in space, and the thermolocator helps it get food. The reptile uses its teeth to grab and kill its prey.
When a rattlesnake senses danger, it coils itself into a tight spring, ready to unfold at any moment with enormous force. At the same time, the tail part resembles a spiral-shaped ring, in the center of which there is a rattle-rattle that makes a frightening rustling sound. The front part takes the form of a high column.
Rattlesnakes are primarily nocturnal. After all, it is in the dark that most of their victims are active. In addition, night hunting allows animals to avoid heat and sunburn. During the day, reptiles hide under stones or in rodent burrows.
The snake's venom, contained in the animal's salivary glands and transmitted through a bite, poses a mortal danger to humans. It is a thick, transparent liquid containing a huge amount of complex biologically active substances. Once in the blood, the poison instantly affects all blood vessels and cells of the human body. Therefore, it is very important to provide a person with qualified medical care in a timely manner.
