Rattlesnakes are common in North America. Of the approximately 36 species, the largest and perhaps deadliest is the eastern diamondback. Some are up to eight feet long and as big around as a man’s forearm. It is one of a group known as pit vipers. This name comes from two pits located in front of and below each eye. These pits are openings to a pair of extremely sensitive infrared-detecting organs. These, like very simple eyes, “see” the warmth coming off of a living object, giving the snake a fairly accurate picture of it. This ability to see infrared is how it finds prey in the dark.
During daylight it also uses its normal sight and smell. Have you ever seen a snake flicking its tongue? That helps the snake to pick up particles of scents from its surroundings, which it collects in what is called the Jacobson’s organ. This is a special organ on the roof of its mouth that helps it understand the scents collected.
Eastern Diamondback mothers give birth to 4 to 32 live young that hatch from eggs inside her body. She stays with them for 10 to 20 days, until they have shed their skin for the first time, and they all go their own ways. The first rattle segment grows with this first shedding of their skin, and a new one is added each time it sheds its skin. During the first year, they may shed as often as two times a month to make room for their growing bodies. Getting rid of their old skins helps free them from parasites and damage that happens to their skin as they crawl on the ground.
This rattler’s reputation is worse than it deserves. Its main interest in life is to find food, and it does this as quietly as possible. It prefers to hide and will even try to escape to avoid confronting a human. Unless taken by surprise or provoked, it seldom attacks. But when surprised, its tail vibrates rapidly, making the rattle sound, as a warning to stay away. If the confrontation continues, it strikes faster than the human eye can follow. Two long, hollow fangs pierce the flesh and usually inject poison into the wound. When humans are bitten, a medicine (antivenin) is available in every area of the country. Without this, death could result. This poison is how a snake kills its prey.
While we see God’s great kindness in His provisions for the snake in various ways, we know that Satan is referred to as a serpent, or snake. Our opening verse says the wicked have lies and poisonous words in their mouths like a snake’s poison. How careful we need to be that our words are true and kind, like those of the Lord Jesus!
Did You Know?
Rattlesnakes can see in the dark.
Messages of God’s Love 12/28/2025