Baby Rattlesnakes: 5 Amazing Facts and 5 Pictures

Baby rattlesnakes are very dangerous! They don't have the notorious rattle and are very aggressive. For most people who cross their paths, this combination doesn't end well.

They start small but grow into quite large snakes and can prove to be very dangerous. Did you know that baby rattlesnakes' rattlesnakes are made of keratin, just like human fingernails? How about you being able to tell their age by the number of rings?

Come learn more about these facts!

#1: Baby rattlesnakes are called baby snakes!

Small rattlesnakes are called baby snakes!

Unlike many juvenile animals, juvenile rattlesnakes do not have names for their young. However, all small snakes are called small snakes. A group of adult rattlesnakes is called a rhumba, while a group of young snakes is called a small pit or den.

#2: Rattlesnake baby snakes can't "rattle"

Baby rattlesnakes are born with a small, rounded tip at the end of their tail, called a buckle. This pre-button is the first sign that the baby snake is rattling, but it only lasts a few days. Once the baby rattlesnake falls off for the first time, the buckle also falls off, revealing the first segment of the baby rattlesnake.

However, before the baby rattlesnake can make sounds with his rattlesnake, he has to grow at least one more rattlesnake segment. This is because their rattles are made of keratin. When rattlesnakes vibrate their tails, the segments slam together, producing the ominous buzz of a rattlesnake's tail. Rattlesnake pups can start rattling on their second shed, which exposes their second tail section.

As the baby snake grows, it continues to add pieces to each shed's rattle. However, very few rattlesnakes have more than eight or nine segments, as these segments are not permanent. In fact, with each new rattle at the tip of the tail, the furthest (and oldest) rattle keeps being pushed away. Some rattlesnakes with damaged or missing rattlesnake substrate will not grow rattlesnakes at all!

#3: Baby Rattlesnakes Get a Bad Reputation

Timid and laid-back may not be the first two words that come to mind when you think of baby rattlesnakes. However, these small rattlesnakes prefer to avoid humans and rarely attack unprovoked.

Another common misconception about baby rattlesnakes is that they are more dangerous than adults. Some believe that young rattlesnakes produce more venom and that they give no warning before biting. In fact, the bites of baby rattlesnakes contain less venom than adult rattlesnakes. Their size and ability not to rattle make them harder to spot, but even adult rattlesnakes don't always sound the warning before biting.

#4: A third of all rattlesnakes live in Arizona!

There are more than 40 species of rattlesnakes, about one-third of which live in Arizona. Arizona has more rattlesnakes than any other state in the US, and 13 species of rattlesnakes call the Grand Canyon State home.

Arizona takes its snake population very seriously. Four species are specially protected by the Arizona Game and Fish Department:

• spinenose rattlesnake
• North American Pygmy Rattlesnake
• rock rattlesnake
• Two-spot rattlesnake.

Arizona is even home to the famous western rattlesnake, the largest species in the western United States. These giant snakes can grow to over 8 feet long and can give birth to up to 20 babies!

#5: Baby Rattlesnakes Only Eat Once a Week

Rattlesnake baby snakes do not depend on their mothers to feed them as newborns. During their first week of life, they begin to learn how to hunt small insects and other small animals. Afterwards, they start feeding on the eggs of small frogs, fish, and even other animals!

Rattlesnakes don't need much food to survive and usually eat only about once a week. They can even survive three to six months without food!

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FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

What is the name of the little rattlesnake?

Small rattlesnakes are known as small snakes. A group of small rattlesnakes is known as a snake pit or nest.

How much does a rattlesnake weigh?

At birth, baby rattlesnakes are about 6 inches to 1 foot long and weigh about one-third of a pound.

What do baby rattlesnakes eat?

Rattlesnakes are carnivores that hunt live prey. Newborn baby rattlesnakes feed on small insects during their first week of life. They then feed on small rodents, lizards, frogs, and other small animals. As adults, these snakes love to chew on squirrels, rabbits, rodents, and sometimes even birds!

Where do baby rattlesnakes live?

Where little rattlesnakes live depends only on the climate of their area. Those living in cooler regions will have to hibernate during the coldest seasons, and they often share the same nest from generation to generation. Those in warmer climates build their nests in burrows and other places, such as rock crevices and holes in the ground. They can swim, but prefer to choose places that help them stay dry and safe when they are vulnerable.

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