They remain near their den entrance for several days sunning, then they make the move on to their summer habitat. They rarely travel further than a mile from their dens. Most snakes hunt at night. They can remain inactive and out of sight for days while they digest a squirrel or small rabbit. Some snakes lay eggs but rattlesnake babies are born live.
Litters can be quite large with more than fifteen newborns.
Many newborn will not survive the first year, either dying of hunger or being eaten by birds and animals. Newborn rattlers are dangerous. They are more belligerent than the adults. While they can not make a rattling sound, they will coil themselves into a defensive posture and strike when disturbed. Young rattlers are very independent .