Re: Can rattlesnakes loose their rattle?

Date: Sun Jul 11 06:41:49 1999
Posted By: Bryan Grieg Fry, Grad student, Biochemistry, 3D Centre
Area of science: Zoology
ID: 929557946.Zo

Message:


Sorry I took so long to answer, been swamped with my snake research.  Yes, 
the rattle can be lost, either from a predator or whatever.  It is rather 
delicate material and it is rare to find a rattler in the wild with more 
than a half dozen or so beads on it.  A new bead is added at each shed (not 
once a year which is a common myth).

Cheers,
Bryan 

Australian Venom & Toxin Database http://www.uq.edu.au/~ddbfry/index.html

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