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RE: Misunderstood Marvels: The North American Copperhead
Here's a question I've wondered about for years after seeing a black racer vibrate the tip of its tail in dry fallen autumn leaves as it fled. Which came first in the rattlesnake, the behavior or the structure? Evolutionarily, I mean. Clearly snakes without rattles can make that repetitive motion. Did the rattle structure evolve simply as a way of amplifying the sound?
I would say the behavior did. Lots of species of snakes (venomous and non-venomous) will vibrate their tail when agitated, and some can create a buzzing sound fairly reminiscent of the rattlesnake. The rattle probably evolved over time as a means of amplifying that sound. Interestingly, today more and more rattlesnakes are losing their rattles; the rattlesnake roundups capture snakes by listening for the tell-tale sound. The snakes that are left behind or over looked are those with either a reduced rattle or none at all. So thanks to the actions of humans, we may see a shift in the species as these rattle-less snakes pass on their traits.
Like the tusk-less elephants in heavily poached areas of Africa.
https://www.awf.org/blog/going-tuskless
Thanks.