a b Luch, Andreas, ed. (2010). Molecular, Clinical and Environmental Toxicology. Vol.2. Springer. p.267. ISBN 978-3-7643-8337-4. Rattlesnakes tend to avoid wide-open spaces where they cannot hide from predators, and generally avoid humans if they are aware of their approach. [82] Rattlesnakes rarely bite unless they feel threatened or provoked. A majority of victims (about 72% [83]) are males. Around half of bites occur in cases where the victim saw the snake, yet made no effort to move away. [36] Whitford, Malachi (2020). "The effects of temperature on the defensive strikes of rattlesnakes" (PDF). Journal of Experimental Biology. 223 (Pt 14). doi: 10.1242/jeb.223859. PMID 32561628. S2CID 219951376. Burton, Maurice; Burton, Robert, eds. (1970). "Rattlesnake". The international wildlife encyclopedia, Volume 1. Marshall Cavendish. p.2119. ISBN 978-0-7614-7266-7.

Whitefold, 2020 The rattlesnakes movement is bound to its physical makeup and the environment. Environmental temperature can influence the ability of ectotherms to capture prey and/or defend themselves against predatorsMeier, Jürg; White, Julian, eds. (1995). Handbook of clinical toxicology of animal venoms and poisons, Volume 236. CRC Press. p.639. ISBN 978-0-8493-4489-3.

Dogs are most commonly bitten on the front legs and head. Horses generally receive bites on the muzzle, and cattle on their tongues and muzzles. If a domesticated animal is bitten, the hair around the bite should be removed so the wound can be clearly seen. The crotaline Fab antivenom has been shown to be effective in the treatment of canine rattlesnake bites. Symptoms include swelling, slight bleeding, sensitivity, shaking, and anxiety. [46] In human culture [ edit ] Spirituality [ edit ] Stone sculptures of feathered serpents on display at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City Indigenous Americans [ edit ]Rattlesnakes receive their name from the rattle located at the end of their tails, which makes a loud rattling noise when vibrated that deters predators. [2] Rattlesnakes are the leading contributor to snakebite injuries in North America, but rarely bite unless provoked or threatened; if treated promptly, the bites are seldom fatal. Price, Trevor D.; Qvarnström, Anna; Irwin, Darren E. (2003-07-22). "The role of phenotypic plasticity in driving genetic evolution". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences. 270 (1523): 1433–1440. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2003.2372. ISSN 0962-8452. PMC 1691402. PMID 12965006.

Cornett, James W. (1998). Rattlesnakes: Answers to Frequent Questions. Palm Springs, California: Nature Trails Press. ISBN 0-937794-23-6. a b c Price, Andrew H. (2009). Venomous Snakes of Texas: A Field Guide. University of Texas Press. pp.38–39. ISBN 978-0-292-71967-5. Slatter, Douglas H. (2002). Textbook of small animal surgery. Elsevier Health Sciences. p.267. ISBN 978-0-7216-8607-3. This article is about the reptile. For other uses, see Rattlesnake (disambiguation) and Rattler (disambiguation). Rattlesnake An important function of the skin is the sensation of changes in air temperature, which can guide the snakes towards warm basking/shelter locations. [62] All snakes are ectotherms. To maintain a stable body temperature, they exchange heat with their external environments. Snakes often move into open, sunny areas to absorb heat from the sun and warmed earth, a behavior known as basking. Nerves in the skin regulate the flow of blood into the veins near the surface. [61]Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference Amerello, Melissa; Smith, Jeffrey; Slone, John (2011). "Family values: Maternal care in rattlesnakes is more than mere attendance". Nature Precedings. doi: 10.1038/npre.2011.6671.1. Like most other snakes, rattlesnakes aestivate during very hot or dry periods, which is why they are rarely seen during the hottest and driest months of summer. [78] Conservation status [ edit ] Rattlesnake fangs are connected by venom ducts to large venom glands near the outer edge of the upper jaw, towards the rear of the head. When the rattlesnake bites, muscles on the sides of the venom glands contract to squeeze the venom through the ducts and into the fangs. When the fangs are not in use, they remain folded against the palate. [37] [38]

Rubio 1998, p.59 – Knowledge that rattlesnakes are so afraid of kingsnakes' odor led to the development of effective synthetic rattlesnake repellents. a b c Fleisher, Gary R.; Ludwig, Stephen, eds. (2010). Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine (6thed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p.1548. ISBN 978-1-60547-159-4. Hubbs, Brian & Brendan O'Connor (2012). A Guide to the Rattlesnakes and other Venomous Serpents of the United States. Tricolor Books. Tempe, Arizona. ISBN 978-0-9754641-3-7. Rattlesnakes generally take several years to mature, and females usually reproduce only once every three years. [73] Brumation [ edit ]

Rattlesnakes are a key element in Aztec mythology and were widely represented in Aztec art, including sculptures, jewelry, and architectural elements. Rattlesnakes are venomous snakes that form the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus [1] of the subfamily Crotalinae (the pit vipers). All rattlesnakes are vipers. Rattlesnakes are predators that live in a wide array of habitats, hunting small animals such as birds and rodents.