130 YEARBOOK, PUBLIC MUSEUM, MILWAUKEE [Vol. III. 



FACTS AND FALLACIES CONCERNING 

 RATTLESNAKES 



By T. E. B. POPE22 



The collecting of sixteen live rattlesnakes, and a rather intimate 

 association with them for several weeks, tended to change our ideas 

 concerning some of the old beliefs about these interesting reptiles. 

 For, when we had our "pets" at close range, we proceeded to prove 

 out some of the theories which have been handed down to us from time 

 immemorial, and to learn a few real truths about the rattlesnake. 

 Let us see what some of these facts and fallacies really are. 



As has been elsewhere stated in these pages, the rattlesnake, in 

 the northern states, shows a fondness for dwelling in rocky, waste 

 land, especially hillsides where they can secure protection by taking 

 refuge in the deep crevices of ledges and among tumbled rocks or 

 talus. The}^ will almost invariably choose a locality that faces the 

 south in order to receive the full benefits of the spring and fall sun in 

 which they delight to bask. In the autumn they retire into the deep 

 fissures for their long winter's sleep, and in the spring they may be 

 found in numbers sunning themselves at or around the openings of 

 their hibernation places. 



Mating occurs in the spring. During this season they appear 

 rather sluggish, dull-colored and wan-looking, and their eyesight is 

 more or less impaired as thej^ are nearing the time for shedding their 

 skins. Towards the end of spring, they leave their places of conceal- 

 ment and make their way slowly towards the lowlands, seeking mois- 

 ture which is necessary for a quick and successful shedding. If they 

 do not have water, the old skin comes off in patches. After shedding, 

 the skin is bright and fresh, the ej^sight is again normal, and hunger 

 is manifest. Their food consists almost wholly of warm-blooded 

 animals such as rats, mice, gophers, squirrels, young rabbits, birds, 

 etc. After shedding and when hunting food, rattlesnakes are fre- 

 quently found in hay and grain fields but their sojourn in such places 

 is evidently of short duration for in late summer they are seen returning 

 to their favorite rocky haunts for the birth of the 3'oung and later 

 hibernation. 



The young are born alive and vary in number from seven to twelve 

 in accordance with the age and size of the mother. The young at 

 birth measure from ten to twelve inches in length while the length of 



"Curator of Lower Zoology, ^Milwaukee Public Museum. 



