Understanding rattlesnake behavior: a step in the right direction
Morris, Cale
Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary
Scottsdale, Arizona USA
Misconceptions about rattlesnake behaviors are widespread and entrenched in most cultures. One of the more common misconceptions is that rattlesnakes are aggressive and strike readily. The author designed an experiment to test rattlesnake aggression and see how readily they would strike when encountered by a human. Research was conducted on 185 free-ranging rattlesnakes of 7 different species in Arizona. The rattlesnakes were stepped on with an artificial leg using enough force to restrain them but not injure them. When stepped on, 6 (3%) of 185 struck the artificial leg; while 68 (37%) used procrypsis and didn’t move, and 116 (63%) tried to get away. Many people believe baby rattlesnakes are more aggressive than adults and bite repeatedly and uncontrollably when encountered. In the study, baby rattlesnakes behaved like adults with 1 (5%) out of 17 neonate Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) striking the artificial leg. The study also looked at variation within the 7 species. Out of the 7 species tested, only 4 species struck the artificial leg. Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) with 2 (2%) strikes out of 80 tests, Mohave Rattlesnakes (Crotalus scutulatus) 2 (9%) of 21, Sidewinders (Crotalus cerastes) 1 (4%) of 24, and Tiger Rattlesnakes (Crotalus tigris) 1 (11%) of 9. Out of the 3 remaining species none of the rattlesnakes tested stuck the artificial leg, with Western Black-tailed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus molossus), 30 individuals were tested, Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnakes (Crotalus pyrrhus) 11 individuals were tested, and Arizona Black Rattlesnakes (Crotalus cerberus) had 10 individuals tested. This research sheds light on rattlesnake misconceptions showing the perceived danger, more times than not, is grossly exaggerated.