OtterKnow Kids EncyclopediaThe rattlesnake has a special rattle at the end of its tail. When it shakes its tail, it makes a buzzing sound to warn others to stay away. This is the snake’s way of saying “please leave me alone!”
Rattlesnakes have thick, scaly bodies with diamond or zigzag patterns. Their rattle is made of loose pieces of keratin, the same stuff as your fingernails. Rattlesnakes have a triangle-shaped head and slit-shaped eyes.
Rattlesnakes eat mice, rats, and small animals. They can sense the body heat of other animals, which helps them find food in the dark. Rattlesnakes sit very still and wait for prey to come close before they strike.
