Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) was the first symbol of the United States before the bald eagle. The rattlesnake is a uniquely American animal that was originally celebrated as a symbol of our independence in the 18th century and written about by none other than Benjamin Franklin in his Pennsylvania Gazette in 1775: "I observed on one of the drums belonging to the marines now raising, there was painted a Rattle-Snake, with this modest motto under it, "Don't tread on me." As I know it is t

Venomous Central American rattlesnake (Crotalus simus), dangerous pit viper from Costa Rica

Feeding Crotalus durissus terrificus