Neonates (newborn) timber rattlesnakes are about 10-14 inches long at birth. They actually give birth to live young. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. Female rattlesnakes only reproduce once every two years and carry the eggs inside their bodies for about 90 days. Rattlesnakes do not lay eggs in nests. Prairie Rattlesnake . As with most reptiles, snakes live a long time compared to dogs or cats. The venom is mainly hemotoxic and attacks the victim’s blood system.-Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes have heat A wide range of rattlesnakes live across the U.S. and North America, and some varieties live in South America as well. All rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning their eggs hatch inside their body and they give birth to live young. Females seek burrows or hollow logs to give birth to between 6 and 21 young. NPS. This largely varies depending on which type of snake it is. Rattlesnakes give birth live, and can have up to 25 babies (called 'neonates') in a brood. The average rattlesnake can live 15 to 20 years. Rattlesnake Reproduction. 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. As they often live in disguise to hunt prey, humans sometimes inadvertently end up stepping on them. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) is a unique and fascinating part of Michigan's natural heritage. Full grown rattlesnakes can range from 3 to 7 feet in length. With proper medical care, snakebites are normally cured and patients can recuperate. 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. The pupils of the eyes are vertically elliptical. 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. There are 36 identified species of rattlesnakes as of 2014. The average lifespan is between 13- 18 years old in captivity and 10 – 15 years in the wild. A rattlesnake can move the rattle on its tail back and forth 20-100 times in just one second. Rattlesnakes have also been harvested as human food. Most snakes are relatively small, about a meter long. Although rattlesnake bites are dangerous, the recorded fatality rate from their bites is quite low. -Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes can live to over 20 years.-These rattlesnakes use venom to immobilize their prey that includes birds, reptiles, and small mammals. It is a small- to medium-sized snake, with adult lengths averaging 2 to 3 feet. Newborn diamondbacks are 12-15 inches long and resemble their parents, except their tails end in smooth buttons rather than rattles. 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