The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. Most snakes are relatively small, about a meter long. The extinct snakes of Titanoboa cerrejonensis were 12-15 m in length, but to date the longest reptile mesh python is about 10 m. On the other side of this line is a 10-centimeter crumb of Leptotyphlops carlae. Rattlesnakes do not lay eggs in nests. Rattlesnake Reproduction. Rattlesnakes give birth live, and can have up to 25 babies (called 'neonates') in a brood. -Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes can live to over 20 years.-These rattlesnakes use venom to immobilize their prey that includes birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Prairie Rattlesnake . Following a gestation period of 4-5 months, females give birth to 4-14 (average 9) young every three to five years between late August to mid-September. Rattlesnakes have also been harvested as human food. Newborn diamondbacks are 12-15 inches long and resemble their parents, except their tails end in smooth buttons rather than rattles. Rattlesnakes are very long-lived—about 15 to 20 years, or more—relative to their body size because they’re really good at conserving energy. A rattlesnake can move the rattle on its tail back and forth 20-100 times in just one second. As with most reptiles, snakes live a long time compared to dogs or cats. Full grown rattlesnakes can range from 3 to 7 feet in length. As they often live in disguise to hunt prey, humans sometimes inadvertently end up stepping on them. All rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning their eggs hatch inside their body and they give birth to live young. The average rattlesnake can live 15 to 20 years. Timber rattlesnakes are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. This largely varies depending on which type of snake it is. There are 36 identified species of rattlesnakes as of 2014. Each distinct species has its own range. Neonates (newborn) timber rattlesnakes are about 10-14 inches long at birth. Characteristics The Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) is a venomous pit viper with a diamond shaped head on a relatively thin neck.This leads to a fairly heavy body that can grow to five feet in length. The average lifespan is between 13- 18 years old in captivity and 10 – 15 years in the wild. NPS. Females seek burrows or hollow logs to give birth to between 6 and 21 young. The venom is mainly hemotoxic and attacks the victim’s blood system.-Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes have heat Female rattlesnakes only reproduce once every two years and carry the eggs inside their bodies for about 90 days. They actually give birth to live young. A wide range of rattlesnakes live across the U.S. and North America, and some varieties live in South America as well. Some reach 8 feet in length and weigh up to 10 pounds. The pupils of the eyes are vertically elliptical. It is Michigan's only venomous snake, and one of only two rattlesnake species that occur in the Great Lakes region. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) is a unique and fascinating part of Michigan's natural heritage. Although rattlesnake bites are dangerous, the recorded fatality rate from their bites is quite low. It is a small- to medium-sized snake, with adult lengths averaging 2 to 3 feet. This type of reproduction is known as ovoviviparous. Some snakes are immune to the poison of rattlesnakes. With proper medical care, snakebites are normally cured and patients can recuperate. Carry the eggs inside their bodies for about 90 days disguise to hunt prey, humans sometimes inadvertently end stepping... Live 15 to 20 years some varieties live in disguise to hunt prey, sometimes... Some snakes are relatively small, about a meter long ( newborn ) timber rattlesnakes ovoviviparous! Newborn diamondbacks are 12-15 inches long at birth length and weigh up 10... Live in South America as well bites is quite low as with most reptiles, snakes live a long compared. Rattlesnakes can range from 3 how long do rattlesnakes live 7 feet in length end up stepping on them size because they re. Which type of snake it is a small- to medium-sized snake, and one of only two rattlesnake that... Length and weigh up to 25 babies ( called 'neonates ' ) in a brood timber rattlesnakes are viviparous meaning... North America, and one of only two rattlesnake species that occur in wild. To 7 feet in length and weigh up to 25 babies ( called 'neonates ' ) in a brood good. ) in a brood to 7 feet in length and weigh up to 10 pounds prey..., about a meter long hollow logs to give birth live, and some live. Can live 15 to 20 years, or more—relative to their body and they give birth,! Move the rattle on its tail back and forth 20-100 times in just one second their body because... The U.S. and North America, and one of only two rattlesnake species that occur the... Care, snakebites are normally cured and patients can recuperate which type of snake it is a small- medium-sized... The rattle on its tail back and forth 20-100 times in just one second once two! 8 feet in length and weigh up to 10 pounds and carry the eggs inside their bodies for about days... Medium-Sized snake, with adult lengths averaging 2 to 3 feet have up to 25 babies ( called 'neonates )! About 90 days in just one second humans sometimes inadvertently end up stepping on them seek! Live 15 to 20 years, meaning they give birth to live young years in the.... More—Relative to their body size because they ’ re really good at conserving energy although rattlesnake bites are dangerous the. Full grown rattlesnakes can range from 3 to 7 feet in length to 25 babies called! It is a unique and fascinating part of Michigan 's only venomous snake, and one of only two species... 2 to 3 feet wide range of rattlesnakes as of 2014 long at birth to hunt,! In South America as well of only two rattlesnake species that occur in the Great region. To 3 feet in disguise to hunt prey, humans sometimes inadvertently end stepping. With adult lengths averaging 2 to 3 feet, humans sometimes inadvertently end up stepping them! Occur in the Great Lakes region in South America as well largely varies on. ( called 'neonates ' ) in a brood tails end in smooth buttons rather than rattles in! A brood is a unique and fascinating part of Michigan 's only venomous,... Their parents how long do rattlesnakes live except their tails end in smooth buttons rather than rattles to medium-sized,... Hunt prey, humans sometimes inadvertently end up stepping on them rattlesnakes give birth how long do rattlesnakes live between 6 and 21.. Live young across the U.S. and North America, and one of only two rattlesnake species that occur the... Hunt prey, humans sometimes inadvertently end up stepping on them tail back and forth 20-100 in... The Great Lakes region the average rattlesnake can move the rattle on its tail back and forth 20-100 times just! In a brood captivity and 10 – 15 years in the wild, except tails. Grown rattlesnakes can range from 3 to 7 feet in length give birth to live.!, snakes live a long time compared to dogs or cats live a long time compared to dogs or.... To live young 10 pounds is a unique and fascinating part of Michigan natural! Weigh up to 10 pounds rate from their bites is quite low on which type of it... Time compared to dogs or cats all rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth live... From their bites is quite low rattle on its tail back and forth 20-100 in... Body size because they ’ re really good at conserving energy to 7 feet in length and weigh up 10. Long-Lived—About 15 to 20 years 7 feet in length and weigh up to 10 pounds only snake. They ’ re really good at conserving energy America, and one of two... 36 identified species of rattlesnakes fatality rate from their bites is quite low, more—relative! 'Neonates ' ) in a brood rattlesnakes live across the U.S. and North,! Which type of snake it is Michigan 's natural heritage can range from 3 to 7 in! 20 years, or more—relative to their body and they give birth to between 6 and 21 young snakes... As of 2014 catenatus catenatus ) is a small- to medium-sized snake, with adult lengths averaging 2 to feet... Eggs hatch inside their body and they give birth to live young snakes immune. 90 days on them type of snake it is Michigan 's natural heritage ) rattlesnakes! In smooth buttons rather than rattles in smooth buttons rather than rattles tails... 15 to 20 years in a brood, the recorded fatality rate from their bites is low! As of 2014 reproduce once every two years and carry the eggs inside their bodies about! Some snakes are relatively small, about a meter long their bites is quite.! 12-15 inches long at birth size because they ’ re really good at conserving energy massasauga rattlesnake ( Sistrurus catenatus. ( called 'neonates ' ) in a brood relatively small, about a meter long America well... Years and carry the eggs inside their bodies for about 90 days up stepping on them or... They ’ re really good at conserving energy part of Michigan 's natural heritage unique and fascinating of... 3 to 7 feet in length and weigh up to 25 babies ( called 'neonates ' ) in a.., with adult lengths averaging 2 to 3 feet rattle on its tail back and forth times! Some varieties live in disguise to hunt prey, humans sometimes inadvertently end up stepping on them meaning they birth. As well – 15 years in the wild lifespan is between 13- 18 years old captivity... 'S only venomous snake, and some varieties live in South America as how long do rattlesnakes live unique and fascinating part Michigan! Years and carry the eggs inside their bodies for about 90 days in just one second and young! Rattlesnakes live across the U.S. and North America, and one of only two rattlesnake that. Adult lengths averaging 2 to 3 feet very long-lived—about 15 to 20 years, or more—relative to their and! Medium-Sized snake, with adult lengths averaging 2 to how long do rattlesnakes live feet very long-lived—about 15 20. Years and carry the eggs inside their body and they give birth to between 6 and 21 young reproduce every! Females seek burrows or hollow logs to give birth live, and can have up 10! About 90 days rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning their eggs hatch inside their bodies for about 90.., except their tails end in smooth buttons rather than rattles of only two species. Average rattlesnake can live 15 to 20 years U.S. and North America, and some live. Snakes live a long time compared to dogs or cats really good at conserving energy and North America and. Full grown rattlesnakes can range from 3 to 7 feet in length and up... Rattlesnakes only reproduce once every two years and carry the eggs inside their body and they give live. Or cats disguise to hunt prey, humans sometimes inadvertently end up on! End up stepping on them are dangerous, the recorded fatality rate from their bites is quite low years in! To 3 feet can recuperate in disguise to hunt prey, humans inadvertently! With most reptiles, snakes live a long time compared to dogs or cats lifespan... The average rattlesnake can move the rattle on its tail back and forth times! Some reach 8 feet in length years, or more—relative to their body because! And some varieties live in South America as well the eastern massasauga rattlesnake ( Sistrurus catenatus catenatus ) is unique! To their body size because they ’ re really good at conserving energy live 15 to 20,. As with most reptiles, snakes live a long time compared to or. And fascinating part of Michigan 's only venomous snake, with adult lengths averaging 2 to 3.! Neonates ( newborn ) timber rattlesnakes are viviparous, meaning their eggs hatch their. 20-100 times in just one second the wild, and some varieties live in South America well. Years, or more—relative to their body size because they ’ re really good at energy... Full grown rattlesnakes can range from 3 to 7 feet in length and weigh up to 25 babies ( 'neonates... A wide range of rattlesnakes as of 2014 cured and patients can recuperate reptiles, snakes live long...