chapter 1 Rattlesnakes in action A hungry rattlesnake flicks its forked tongue The tongue will catch the scent of nearby prey The snake’s heat sensors are active too If an animal comes close the snake will feel its heat Something is coming It’s a mouse The rattlesnake coils into position Then it strikes Its fangs push venom into the prey Once the mouse is dead the snake swallows it whole 4
Blending In There are more than 30 types of rattlesnakes They’re all powerful venomous predators These snakes have triangle shaped heads and heavy bodies They come in several colors Some are brown gray or yellow Their skin is often marked with patterns Their colors and patterns help them blend in with their habitats 3 to 8 feet 1 to 2 4 meters 3 to 5 feet 1 to 1 5 m 2 to 4 feet 6 to 1 2 m 1 to 2 feet 3 to 6 m 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
