Rattlesnakes fall into the category of snakes known as pit vipers. The pit is a heat sensitive organ located between the eyes and the nostril. The pit acts as a heat radar system to locate prey at night. The snakes kill their prey of mice, rats and prairie dogs by injecting their venom through their hollow front fangs. The largest rattlesnake in the United States is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake which can grow up to eight feet long.
All rattlesnakes have toxic venom that affect the circulatory and nervous systems of humans.
Mojave Rattlesnakes are known to have neurotoxic venom that disrupts brain functions. Despite their highly toxic fangs, rattlesnakes rarely use them on humans. Rattlesnakes, like most snakes, will choose flight over fight unless they are cornered and have no other choice but to attack. Water moccasins are snakes most common to the swampy areas of the southern United States. These snakes have an aggressiveness that is more legendary than accurate.