Subhasis Banerjee

RATTLESNAKE Rattlesnakes are a group of venomous snakes of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus of the subfamily Crotalinae . There are 36 known species of Rattlesnakes with 65 to 70 subspecies. Rattlesnakes received their name from the ‘rattle’ located at the end of their tails, which makes a loud rattling noise when vibrated that deters predators or serves as a warning to passer-by. However, rattlesnakes fall prey to hawks, weasels, king snakes and a variety of other species. Rattlesnakes are heavily preyed upon as neonates, while they are still weak and immature. Large numbers of rattlesnakes are killed by humans. Rattlesnake populations in many areas are severely threatened by habitat destruction, poaching and extermination campaigns. Rattlesnakes are predators that live in a wide array of habitats, hunting small animals such as birds and rodents.

KING SNAKE King Snakes are colubrid New World constrictors, members of the genus Lampropeltis , which includes milk snakes and four other species. Among these, about 45 subspecies are recognized. Lampropeltis  includes the Greek words for "shiny shield". The name is given to them in reference to their smooth, enamel-like dorsal scales. Their common name of "King Snake" derives from their habit of eating other snakes. The several species vary widely in size and coloration. Adult scarlet King Snakes are typically 40 cm to 50 cm (16 inch to 20 inch) in length, while the common King Snake can grow up to 1.8 m (6 ft). Some King Snakes are coloured in muted browns to black, while others are brightly marked in white, reds, yellows, grays and lavenders that form rings, longitudinal stripes, speckles, and saddle-shaped bands. King Snakes use constriction to kill their prey and tend to be opportunistic in their diet; they eat other snakes (ophiophagy) incl...