Rattlesnakes – an Overview of the Most Highly Evolved Serpents
Feb 8th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The subjects of today’s article, while not suitable pets under any circumstances, still hold great interest for reptile enthusiasts. Today we’ll take a look at some of their unique characteristics.
Rattlesnake Central
Growing up in NYC, I had the distinct pleasure of easy access to the Staten Island Zoo’s Reptile House, which was lorded over by the man known worldwide for introducing a generation of aspiring herpetologists to snake keeping – Carl Kauffeld. At the time, the zoo boasted a collection containing every known Rattlesnake species. Several years ago, I was thrilled to be chosen as consultant on the Reptile House renovation, and today Rattlesnakes again take center stage there (please see photo below).
Classification and Range
Rattlesnakes and their relatives, collectively known as Pit Vipers, are placed in the Family Viperidae (Subfamily Crotalinae), along with Palm Vipers, Copperheads, Cottonmouths and similar species. Herpetologists consider them to be the most advanced of all snakes.
Confined to the Western Hemisphere, Rattlesnakes reach their greatest diversity in the American Southwest and Mexico, with 13 of the 36 known species being found in Arizona alone. Only 4 species – the Eastern Diamondback, Eastern Massasauga, Pigmy and Timber Rattlesnake – range east of the Mississippi, while South America is home to but 2, the Neo-Tropical and Uracoan Rattlesnakes.
Beyond Sensing Heat
All Pit Vipers possess a sophisticated organ that detects the infra-red rays (heat) produced by birds and mammals. Located in a pit between the eye and nostril, it is far more refined than the receptors of boas and pythons.
The arrangement of heat receptors within the sensory organs are recreated in the brain and integrated with visual information received there. The pits may thus be considered more “imaging devices” than mere heat receptors, and provide detailed information concerning the size and location of warm-blooded animals. Aided by these unique organs, Rattlesnakes are able to hunt in complete darkness.
The Rattle
The rattle, unique among snakes, is composed of a series of loosely-connected segments. Specialized muscles in the tail vibrate the rattle to produce its characteristic sound.
A new segment is added at each shed. The number of rattle segments is not indicative of age, as old segments regularly break off and snakes may shed from 0-4 times yearly. The Santa Catalina Rattlesnake, confined to the island of the same name, is the only species that lacks a rattle. A number of non-venomous snakes vibrate their tails among dead leaves when disturbed, perhaps in imitation of Rattlesnakes.
Fangs
Vipers have evolved long, hinged fangs that fold back against the roof of the mouth when not in use. Venom is injected with a single bite, in the manner of a hypodermic needle.
The snake then retires and allows the prey to run off, following its scent trail once the stricken animal has expired. This strategy spares Vipers the injuries that can be inflicted upon snakes that must hold on while injecting venom (i.e. Cobras).
Parental Care?
All Rattlesnakes bear live young and some provide a degree of parental care, with females protecting their offspring until at least their first shed (9-14 days after birth). The Black-Tailed Rattlesnake has been shown to recognize siblings after a 2 year separation.
Further Reading
If possible, please visit the extensive Rattlesnake collection at the Staten Island Zoo.
A list of all known Pit Vipers and their ranges is posted here.
You can see and hear a Rattlesnake’s rattle in action here.
Please write in with your questions and comments.
Thanks, until next time,
Frank Indiviglio
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...The Natural History and Captive Care of Newts – Part 1
Feb 5th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Newts have long been among the most popular of all amphibian pets, and with good reason. Unlike most others, they are bold, active by day and readily accept prepared foods. Many are easy to breed in captivity and quite long-lived…a California Newt (Taricha torosa) in my collection reached 20 years of age. Today we’ll look at natural history and husbandry, and in part 2 I’ll cover individual species such as Eastern Red-Spotted, Fire-Bellied and California Newts. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Snake Escapes – Recovering Cobras and other Snakes in Zoos and Homes – Part 2
Feb 3rd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Please see Part I of this article for some cobra and python escape stories set in NYC.
The “Ditmar’s Trap”
I first became aware of snake traps through The Reptiles of North America, written by legendary Bronx Zoo curator Raymond Ditmars. Mr. Ditmars recounted capturing Northern Watersnakes (Nerodia sipedon) by securing fish to strings that were anchored to stumps in likely locations…a feat I was later to repeat successfully on several occasions (snakes have trouble backing off prey once it has been swallowed, and Watersnakes are especially ravenous feeders). If you have collected Watersnakes by hand, you’ll understand the attraction of a method that spares one’s skin! More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Cold Snap in Florida Affects Introduced (i.e. Burmese Pythons) and Native Herps
Feb 1st
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve received a number of questions lately from herp enthusiasts (and “regular people”!) who have come across cold-stunned reptiles and amphibians in Florida. Cuban Knight Anoles, Green Tree Frogs and many other species have been severely impacted by the record-breaking cold weather.
Burmese Pythons
A colleague’s comment on cold weather and Florida’s introduced Burmese Pythons brought to mind an incident that occurred several years ago. A friend of mine stopped into a coffee shop near Florida City and was surprised to see the skins of 14 large Burmese Pythons tacked to the wall. She learned that the shop’s owner had captured all along one road on a single warm morning following a cold snap. Herpetologists also know that such times are ideal for collecting, as snakes flock to roads to take advantage of the warm pavement and access to sun. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Slider and other Semi-Aquatic Turtle Diets – Vegetables and Greens – Part 2
Jan 29th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. In Part I of this article, we discussed the role played by plants in the diets of popular North American “basking” turtles such as Red-Eared and Yellow-Bellied Sliders, Map, Red-Bellied and Chicken Turtles, and Cooters.
Useful Plants and Vegetables
As your turtles grow out of the hatchling stage, I suggest offering dandelion, bok choy, kale, mustard and collared greens, romaine, endive and vegetables such as shredded yams, carrots, and squash.
Prolific aquatic plants such as Elodea, Anachris, Watersprite, Duckweed, Water Hyacinth and various underwater grasses (i.e. Vallisneria), easily reared in outdoor tubs or ponds, are also eagerly accepted by many turtles. Keep a few guppies or minnows in your water garden to consume mosquito larvae, or net the larvae as food for 
fishes, newts and other aquatic pets. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...
Recent Comments