{"id":10700,"date":"2022-03-09T09:53:46","date_gmt":"2022-03-09T09:53:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=10700"},"modified":"2022-03-13T16:57:31","modified_gmt":"2022-03-13T16:57:31","slug":"how-far-can-a-rattlesnake-strike","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/how-far-can-a-rattlesnake-strike\/","title":{"rendered":"How Far Can A Rattlesnake Strike?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve ever seen a rattlesnake in action<\/a>, you might have been impressed by its ability to spring forward and attack prey or anything threatening. It may have caused you to wonder: just how far can a rattlesnake strike? And how fast can it strike? Keep reading! In this article, we\u2019ll answer these and other questions about rattlesnakes and their deadly skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Far Can a Rattlesnake Strike?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"How<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rattlesnakes are known for being able to lunge forward at impressive speeds and bite prey or unsuspecting humans. But just how far can they lunge forward when striking?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The answer depends somewhat on the type of rattlesnake but mostly depends on its size. There are many species and subspecies of rattlers, and of course, they come in a variety of sizes\u2013from a few inches for newborn snakes up to eight feet for the largest adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A rattlesnake can strike anywhere from one-third to one-half its own body length. The average adult rattlesnake is between 3 and 6 feet long.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, on average, an adult rattlesnake could lunge forward between 1 and 3 feet. Larger adults could lunge up to 4 feet, while babies and juveniles will be able to lunge significantly less. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Far Can a Diamondback Rattler Strike?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The diamondback is the largest and heaviest of the rattlesnake species. It lives throughout various southern regions of the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diamondbacks are also very strong and powerful. They can easily strike half the distance of their own body length and, according to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo<\/a>, can even strike up to two-thirds of their body length.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diamondbacks are one of the few species that grows up to 8 feet long. Therefore, an 8-foot-long diamondback could lunge forward more than 5 feet in front of itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can a Rattlesnake Strike When Not Coiled?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most rattlesnakes twist themselves into a distinctive coil before striking. It is easier for them to lunge forward from this position, which allows them to strike the greatest distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, rattlesnakes don\u2019t have to be coiled up in order to strike. Sometimes, particularly if they are caught off-guard or feel imminently threatened, they will strike without coiling.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the short video below, you can see a rattlesnake lunging at a balloon without coiling itself first. Notice how, even though it doesn\u2019t coil, it still \u201cfolds itself up,\u201d a little like an accordion, to give itself some extra momentum when it strikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Vmt09MQQZZ4&t=2s<\/a>