Why does a rattlesnake's tail ring?

The rattlesnake generally has a body length of about 1.5 meters, with a yellow-green body, a diamond-shaped black brown spot on the back, and a series of horny rings at the end of the tail, which is the remnant after molting many times. it can make a loud sound for a long time, so that the enemy does not dare to approach or be scared away. Let's take a look at why the rattlesnake's tail rings.

Why does a rattlesnake's tail ring?

At the tip of the rattlesnake's tail is a kind of horny chain ring, which forms a cavity, and the cutin membrane divides the cavity into two annular vacuoles, as if they were two air oscillators. When the rattlesnake keeps wagging its tail, a stream of air is formed inside the bubble, oscillating back and forth in and out, and the bubble makes a "crackle" sound.

What is the function of a rattlesnake's tail?

A rattlesnake is typically characterized by a rattlesnake's tail ring. The rattlesnake's ring is like a string of dry hollow beads. When it shakes, the ring will rub against each other and vibrate the empty machine and hiss to warn the intruder that it will be poisoned by it. The longer the ring, the louder the sound, which means that the older the rattlesnake is, and the baby rattlesnake without ring will attack without warning because it is unable to sound a warning. At the same time, rattlesnake tails can simulate the sound of water, attracting thirsty animals in the desert.

What are the common species of rattlesnakes?

1. Dwarf rattlesnakes: dwarf rattlesnakes are venomous snakes distributed in Canada, the United States and Mexico under the subfamily Viperidae. They are significantly smaller than rattlesnakes, have nine larger forehead scales and have a noisy tail, but can produce higher and denser sounds than ordinary rattlesnakes either in frequency or tone. Although the toxicity of pygmy rattlesnakes is generally considered to be a less dangerous toxin, it is the most correct attitude that any venomous snake bites must be handled carefully and receive relevant treatment immediately.

2. Eastern rattlesnakes: eastern rattlesnakes are the largest rattlesnakes in the world. They are less and less common in the United States and are often run over by cars or caught in rattlesnakes. Venom is very toxic and has a lot of poison, which is not surprising, because it is very large, and now in the United States, only one or two people die every year from being bitten by rattlesnakes. But because of its astonishing size and its venom, snake catcher Nigel Marvin ranks third on the list of the top 10 deadliest snakes in the United States.

3. Horn rattlesnakes: horned rattlesnakes, also known as lateral snakes, are small nocturnal snakes of the viper family, native to the sandy deserts of Mexico and the southwestern United States, with a length of about 45 to 75 centimeters, with horned scales above the eyes, yellowish, pink or gray, inconspicuous spots on the back and both sides of the body, coiling sideways in the desert, leaving unique j-shaped marks, poisonous and generally not fatal after biting.

4. South American rattlesnakes: South American rattlesnakes are rattlesnakes distributed in South America, which can be up to 1.8 meters long and have two distinct black lines from neck to head. The toxin of South American rattlesnakes is like playing Russian roulette. The toxin effect of adult rattlesnakes can only damage blood cells and tissues, but young rattlesnakes can warn before they ring, so their toxins can also bend muscles and climb stalks. And attack the respiratory system, leading to respiratory failure, the more effective toxin can make up for the young rattlesnake can not give a warning.

5. Twin-spotted rattlesnake: the twin-spotted rattlesnake, also known as the double-spotted rattlesnake, is a poisonous rattlesnake of the subfamily Viperidae, mainly distributed in the United States and Mexico. The adult twin-spotted rattlesnake is usually no more than 50 to 60 centimeters long, with the current record of 66 centimeters, with gray, brown-gray (sometimes brown-red) as the tone and many small brown spots. The texture of the dorsal scale is spotted, which is divided into left and right rows with the central axis of the spine as the boundary. There are about 39 to 64 pairs of such markings.

6. Tiger spot rattlesnakes: Tiger spot rattlesnakes have many longitudinal stripes like tiger spots on their back. few adults can reach 100 centimeters. The largest specimen is 88.5 centimeters long, with a small head and a large back. Distributed in Arizona in the southeastern United States and Sonora in northwestern Mexico. Tiger spot rattlesnakes are the most toxic of all rattlesnakes, and although highly toxic, they do not seem to cause serious local or systemic symptoms.