A rattlesnake is a venomous snake known for the distinctive rattle at the end of its tail, which it uses as a warning signal when threatened. These snakes are primarily found in the Americas, particularly in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, equipped with heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils to detect warm-blooded prey. They have a potent venom that they use to immobilize and digest their prey, which typically includes small mammals, birds, and reptiles.
