Rattlesnakes are the leading cause of snakebite injuries in North America and a significant cause in Central and South America. [43] [85] Avoiding bites [ edit ] Meier, Jürg; White, Julian, eds. (1995). Handbook of clinical toxicology of animal venoms and poisons, Volume 236. CRC Press. p.639. ISBN 978-0-8493-4489-3. An estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes in the United States each year, with about five deaths. [92] The most important factor in survival following a severe envenomation is the time elapsed between the bite and treatment. Most deaths occur between 6 and 48 hours after the bite. If antivenom treatment is given within two hours of the bite, the probability of recovery is greater than 99%. [93] Members of some Christian sects in the Southern United States are regularly bitten while participating in " snake handling" rituals. Snake handling is when people hold venomous snakes, unprotected, as part of a religious service inspired by a literal interpretation of the Bible verses Mark 16:17–18, which reads, "In my name ... They shall take up serpents ...." [36] [106] In traditional medicine [ edit ]

Bryan Hughes (March 2, 2019). "Are rattlesnakes evolving to rattle less, or losing their rattles?". Rattlesnake Solutions. The Magic Toy Shop 12 Sets Large Magnetic Rattlers Rattling Magnets Snake Eggs Party Bag Filler Toy DescriptionIn 2016, Allf et al published a paper proposing behavioral plasticity as the mechanism by which the rattling system evolved in rattlesnakes. [55] [56] [57] In the case of rattlesnakes, Allf et al proposed that tail vibration in response to predator threat could be the precursor for the rattling system in rattlesnakes, an example of behavioral plasticity. [55] To investigate this hypothesis, the researchers analyzed tail vibration and relatedness to rattlesnakes among snakes in the families Viperidae and Colubridae. Their results demonstrated that the more closely related a species was to rattlesnakes, the more similar that species was to rattlesnakes in both duration and rate of tail vibration. [55] These results strongly support the hypothesis that tail vibration preceded the rattling system as a behavior and allowed for the rattle to be selected for once developed. Even a small, underdeveloped rattle early in the evolution of the rattling system could have been advantageous if tail vibration was an ancestral behavior. [58] Kini, R. Manjunatha; etal., eds. (2011). Toxins and Hemostasis. Springer 2011. p.99. ISBN 978-90-481-9294-6. Rattlesnakes are preyed upon by hawks, weasels, kingsnakes, and a variety of other species. Rattlesnakes are heavily preyed upon as neonates, while they are still weak and immature. Large numbers of rattlesnakes are killed by humans. Rattlesnake populations in many areas are severely threatened by habitat destruction, poaching, and extermination campaigns.

Cornett, James W. (1998). Rattlesnakes: Answers to Frequent Questions. Palm Springs, California: Nature Trails Press. ISBN 0-937794-23-6.

Lessenger, James E., ed. (2006). Agricultural medicine: a practical guide. Birkhäuser. p.447. ISBN 978-0-387-25425-8. Lynn, W. Gardner (September 1931). "The Structure and Function of the Facial Pits of Pit Vipers". American Journal of Anatomy. 49: 97–139. doi: 10.1002/aja.1000490105.