Although many people fear them, rattlesnakes are not generally aggressive by nature. They would much rather retreat when given an escape route. However, the majority of venomous snakebites in the U.S. are caused by rattlesnakes. Most rattlesnake bites occur when an inexperienced person tries to handle the snake or when the snake is accidentally startled or touched by someone hiking or climbing. Some rattlesnake species are also quicker to defend themselves than others. The rattlesnake shown in this TikTok video is a snake that won’t back down from a threat. Keep reading to learn more about rattlesnake behavior and discover how these snakes defend themselves from potential predators, including humans.
Rattler Facts
Rattlesnakes are the largest venomous snakes in the U.S.
©Kristian Bell/Shutterstock.com
There are around 30 species of rattlesnake in the world, all of which are endemic to the Americas. Ranging from Canada to Argentina, rattlesnakes inhabit a variety of environments, including sandy deserts, grasslands, and swamplands. Rattlesnakes are the largest venomous snakes in the U.S., generally ranging from 1-7 feet long. These snakes are not born with rattles. Each time they shed their skin, the last scale is left on the tail, adding another segment to the rattle. However, as the snake ages, older segments of the rattle may break off.
Rattlesnakes belong to the Crotalidae subfamily of Viperidae, so they are considered pit vipers. They have heat-sensing pits on the sides of their heads to detect the heat signatures of both prey and predators. Rattlesnakes can detect organisms that are only 1/10th of a degree warmer than their surrounding environments. They prefer live prey, typically rodents, birds, rabbits, and small lizards. When prey is in range, they strike with their fangs, envenomating and killing the animal, which is swallowed whole.
Rattlesnake Defensive Strategies
Rattlesnakes prefer to avoid confrontation, but they can be aggressive in defending themselves.
©thesnakewranglers / TikTok – Original
Rattlesnakes often take cover under heavy brush and leaf litter, in rock crevices, and beneath logs or woodpiles. They depend on rattling, striking, and crypsis—which is the ability to avoid detection—to deter predators. Most rattlesnakes prefer to escape and hide rather than attack, but they will go on the defensive when they feel threatened.
Rattling
When a rattlesnake is threatened, it often uses its rattle as a warning sign, but not always. Sometimes, they remain motionless to avoid revealing their location to a predator. Rattling is one of the fastest movements by a vertebrate, with the rattle vibrating 50-100 times per second. As threats decrease in distance, rattlesnakes increase both the rate and frequency of their rattling. If a rattlesnake is rattling, it feels threatened and is warning the intruder to leave, as the snake prefers to avoid confrontation.
Defensive Postures
As shown in the video, rattlesnakes sometimes stand their ground when faced with a situation they perceive as dangerous. They rear up in a threatening defensive posture, raising the front part of their bodies off the ground and curling into S-shaped loops, with the tail raised and rattling. This is often accompanied by hissing. Their coiled bodies provide stability if they need to lunge forward, and their heads are positioned to strike. Researchers note that the segments of the snake’s body flow around its natural curves, as typically seen during locomotion, which aids in body acceleration during strikes.
Striking
Strikes are extremely rapid, typically completed in less than 0.5 seconds, with the snake experiencing acceleration of over 20 Gs. Rattlesnakes can also strike at distances of one-third to two-thirds of their body length. However, they normally only strike as a last resort. Herpetologists estimate 25%-50% of bites are “dry,” meaning they contain no venom. It takes up to three weeks for an average rattlesnake to replace its venom. If they use their venom on a threat, they may be unable to immobilize prey, forcing them to go hungry for days or even weeks. This is why rattlesnakes, even those that are aggressive in defense, would much rather avoid humans than attack them.
The post What Rattlesnakes Do Before They Strike Might Surprise You appeared first on A-Z Animals.
