Rattlesnakes

 Rattlesnakes are one of the four different snakes that live in North America. They can be identified by their triangular head and their rattles on their tails. Their are many species of rattlesnakes and they can be identified apart from one another by their pattern and color of skin. Rattlesnakes use their forked tongues and vibrations from the ground to hunt for prey. Their can see up to about 40 feet and the closer the object, the better they can see it. Here are some facts or things about a rattlesnake.

they have a broad, "triangular" head.
Eyes have verticle  pupils.
Scales are keeled with a raised ridge in the center of each.
Body is heavy or thick in appearance.
Large tubular fangs in mouth that fold out when the mouth opens.
The mouth  opens 180 degrees.
Blunt tail with jointed rattle.
Typically rattlesnakes range from 3 to 4 feet in length.

  Rattlesnakes live for about 20 to 30 years. When a female has babies, it can have 4 to about 25 eggs inside her and gives birth to about 4 to 10 of them. Rattlesnakes like to live where there is a constant source of food such as, rodents,rabbits,squirrels,etc. They also usaully stay close to their dens. Another fact is that rattlesnakes can strike at a distance that is two thirds its length.

                                             photo by Mike Baird

 "Rattlesnakes (DesertUSA)." Desert Biomes by DesertUSA. Web. 17 May 2011. http://www.desertusa.com/may96/du_rattle.html.