The scientific name Crotalus is derived from the Greek κρόταλον, meaning "castanet". The name Sistrurus is the Latinized form … See more

Sensory organs
Like all pit vipers, rattlesnakes have two organs that can sense radiation; their eyes and a set of heat-sensing "pits" on their faces that enable … See more

In the colder winter months, some rattlesnake species enter a period of brumation, which is dormancy similar to hibernation. … See more

Rattlesnakes are the leading cause of snakebite injuries in North America and a significant cause in Central and South America.
Avoiding bites
Rattlesnakes tend to avoid wide-open spaces where they … See more

Range and habitat
Rattlesnakes are native to the Americas from southern Canada to central Argentina, with the majority of species inhabiting See more

Most rattlesnake species mate during the summer or fall, while some species mate only in the spring, or during both the spring and fall. See more

Rattlesnakes tend to avoid developed areas, preferring undisturbed, natural habitats. Rapid habitat destruction by humans, mass killings during events such as See more