A rattlesnake is a poisonous American snake which can make a rattling noise with its tail. Any of about 30 species in two genera of New World pit vipers having a tail rattle that produces a buzzing sound when vibrated. The rattle is composed of horny, loosely connected segments added one at a time with each molt. Sistrurus species have large scales on the top of the head. Crotalus species have mostly small scales on the head. Species range from 1 to 8 ft (30 to 250 cm) long. Most eat small animals, primarily rodents, birds, and lizards. All bear live young. In hot areas rattlesnakes become nocturnal; in cold areas they hibernate in groups. Heat-sensitive organs on the sides of the head help them locate and strike their prey. A rattlesnake bite is painful and can be fatal if not treated. See also sidewinder
{i} variety of poisonous snakes from the pit viper family with a rattle on the end of the tail
Any one of several species of venomous American snakes belonging to the genera Crotalus and Caudisona, or Sistrurus
Any of several U.S. flags bearing the motto "Don't Tread on Me" and a picture of a rattlesnake, used during the French and Indian War (1756-1763) and the Revolutionary War
Any of several plants, such as Eryngium yuccifolium of the eastern United States, supposedly effective against the venom of rattlesnakes and having narrow leaves with spiny margins and whitish flower heads. Also called button snakeroot
any of various orchids of the genus Pholidota having numerous white to brown flowers in spiraling racemes clothed in slightly inflated bracts and resembling a rattlesnake's tail
Either of two venomous rattlesnakes, of the genus Crotalus, from southern United States and Mexico, that have diamond-shaped markings on their backs: Crotalus adamanteus and Crotalus atrox
Either of two large venomous rattlesnakes (Crotalus adamanteus or C. atrox) found in the southern and western United States and in Mexico and having diamond-shaped markings on the back
A venomous snake (Crotalus horridus subsp. horridus) of the United States, typically having a yellowish-brown color and wide transverse bands on the back