Why does the rattlesnake give birth to live offspring?

Rattlesnakes are able to use their bodies to keep their offspring warm, rather than laying eggs and exposing those eggs to more inconsistent temperatures. read more

Arguably, snake season is year-round in Arizona, a state known for its rattlers. But baby rattlesnakes are born in July and August, making these two months especially dangerous for hikers, gardeners, children and others at high risk of exposure to rattlesnake bites. read more

When a rattlesnake is pregnant, she carries eggs, but the eggs don't hatch outside of her body -- they hatch inside. This is because rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, which is a type of animal that carries eggs inside their body until they hatch. She'll then give birth to live offspring. read more

Snakes birth their young three ways: 1. oviparous, 2. ovoviviparous, and 3. viviparous. Most snakes like rat snakes, corn snakes, and green snakes are oviparous, birthing and hatching eggs outside the body. read more