The Rattlesnakes 



the snake's age may be had by counting the segments, but in 

 a different manner than that usually described. 



According to the popular and incorrect opinion, the snake 

 acquires a new joint or ring of the rattle every year, and if one de- 

 sires to ascertain the age of the reptile it is simply necessary to 

 count the number of rings composing the rattle, and, by allow- 

 ing a year for each ring, the age of the serpent is known. Let 

 us explain how this theory is wholly incorrect and very misleading. 



In the first place, the rattlesnake acquires from two to 

 three rings of the rattle each year usually three, and some- 

 times, though rarely, four segments. The rattle seldom attains 

 a length of more than ten or eleven rings, as when that number 

 has been acquired the vibration at the tip, when the organ is used, 

 is so pronounced that additional segments are soon worn, broken 

 and lost. Even though the rattle is seldom employed a longer 

 appendage is awkward, and, coming in frequent contact with 

 rough objects, must soon be broken. 



When the young Rattlesnake is born, it is provided with a 

 soft button on the tip of the tail, which, though vigorously shaken 

 in imitation of the parent's rattle, produces no sound/ as it is 

 rigidly attached to the tail. Within a few days after birth the 

 young Rattlesnake sheds its skin and commences feeding, taking 

 small mice, or other young rodents. It grows rapidly and in 

 about two months sheds the second skin when the first ring or 

 segment of the rattle is uncovered. This has been steadily develop- 

 ing under the old epidermis and at such times its presence was 

 apparent in the swollen appearance at the base of the original 

 button. Immediately after the shedding of the skin, this ring 

 is black and soft. It loosely encases the base of the button, and, 

 after a few days, when the segment has become thoroughly dry 

 and the tail is shaken, a faint, buzzing sound is produced 

 this caused by the loosely attached button rasping against the 

 dry segment to which it is fastened. Now that the button has 

 become detached from the base of the tail, it becomes a dull 

 straw colour the general hue of the rattle. At this time the 

 snake has a rattle in miniature. Every succeeding segment 

 is produced in exactly this fashion. 



By the time the snake has developed thus far, the hibernating 

 season approaches, and it retires for the winter. April brings it 

 forth again to feed voraciously and begin a rapid growth. Around 



430 



