rattlesnake

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rattlesnake Any of c.30 species of venomous New World pit vipers characterized by a tail rattle of loosely connected segments of unshed skin. It ranges from Canada to South America, usually in arid regions. Most are blotched with dark diamonds, hexagons or spots on a lighter background. They feed mostly on rodents. Length: 30cm–2.5m (1–8ft). Family Viperidae. See also snake

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