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 .
They then begin to scatter and search for food. Young rattlesnakes grow rapidly. After each hibernation they shed their skin and with each skin molting a new rattle appears. During the first few years rapid growth, they may molt three times a year. Most rattlesnakes will try to withdraw when disturbed.