Rattlesnakes, with their distinctive warning sound, are among the most recognized snakes in many regions. Understanding how to identify these reptiles, especially their young, is important for safety and wildlife appreciation. Baby rattlesnakes possess characteristics that distinguish them from adults and other snake species, making accurate identification a valuable skill.
Understanding Their Appearance
Baby rattlesnakes are miniature versions of adults, measuring 6 to 12 inches. Their coloration is brighter and more vibrant than adults, in shades of pale gray or light tan. These lighter hues are adorned with distinct darker blotches or diamond-shaped patterns, serving as camouflage.
A key feature of a newborn rattlesnake is the “pre-rattle” or “button” at its tail end. This single, small, rounded segment is made of keratin, like human fingernails. Unlike an adult’s segmented rattle, this button does not produce sound until the snake sheds its skin for the first time, several weeks after birth. Therefore, the absence of a rattling sound does not indicate a harmless snake.
How They Differ from Adults
The most apparent difference between baby and adult rattlesnakes is size; newborns are significantly smaller. Adults have a multi-segmented rattle, while babies are born with a single button. New segments are added to the rattle each time the snake sheds its skin, with the first shed producing a faint sound.
Their patterns and colors are similar to adults, but babies exhibit more vivid and contrasting markings. The fundamental body shape, including the triangular head, remains consistent from birth. Adult rattlesnakes deliver a significantly larger quantity of venom, making adult bites more severe.
Telling Them Apart from Other Snakes
Distinguishing baby rattlesnakes from non-venomous look-alikes like gopher snakes or king snakes is important. Rattlesnakes, even as juveniles, have a triangular head due to venom glands, and their pupils are vertical and elliptical, resembling a cat’s eye. They also have heat-sensing pits between their nostrils and eyes, a feature absent in non-venomous snakes like gopher snakes.
Gopher snakes, often mistaken for rattlesnakes, have a rounded head and round pupils. Gopher snakes may mimic a rattlesnake by hissing loudly and vibrating their tail against dry vegetation to create a rattling sound, but their tail tapers to a point rather than ending in a button or rattle. King snakes, another common non-venomous species, have smoother scales and distinct banded patterns, contrasting with the keeled scales and blotched patterns of rattlesnakes.
Their Behavior and Venom
Baby rattlesnakes are born with fully developed fangs and functional venom glands. A common misconception suggests young rattlesnakes are more dangerous because they cannot control venom injection. However, research indicates baby rattlesnakes are capable of venom metering, similar to adults, and do not necessarily inject all venom with every bite.
While baby rattlesnake venom is potent, the quantity delivered in a bite is considerably less than an adult can inject, with adults delivering 20 to 50 times more. Adult rattlesnake bites are more severe due to the larger venom volume. Any rattlesnake bite, regardless of the snake’s age, is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate attention. Baby rattlesnakes, like adults, try to avoid confrontation and may coil and strike defensively when threatened.