Encountering these is uncommon because of their body camouflage and secretive nature, their first defenses in evading predators. Consider yourself fortunate if you do see one. As with all wildlife, we need to treat them with respect. Reptiles are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature increases or decreases in response to the surrounding environment. They are most active in the spring, summer and early fall when it's comfortable, short sleeve weather for us.
Reptiles usually hibernate in winter.
They are the Sidewinder, Mohave, Speckled, Western Diamondback and Great Basin rattlesnakes. With the exception of juveniles, most rattlesnakes encountered in Nevada are 1 to 4 feet long. General Characteristics Rattlesnakes are pit vipers. They have facial or loreal pits, heat-sensitive depressions on either side of the head between the nostril and eye. These pits can detect differences in temperatures less than 0.5 F in nearby objects and aid rattlesnakes in detecting prey even in complete darkness.