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Welwitschia belongs to the group of gymnosperm plants. Due to unique characteristics, botanists classified welwitschia into special family (called Welwitschiaceae) which does not contain any other species. Welwitschia can be found only in Namib Desert in Namibia and Angola. This unusual plant is sometimes called "living fossil" because it exists on the planet for millions of years.

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Plants and animals that live in the desert are conditioned to endure extreme temperatures with minimal water. The number of plant and animal species tenacious enough to survive in the desert number in the tens of thousands, which is a small fraction compared to the hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species that live in the rain forest. Plants and animals in the desert are biologically limited in productivity and diversity due to the relative scarcity of organic nutrients.

Desert Plants

The drought-tolerant plants in the desert include wildflowers, cactus and succulents, trees, shrubs, grasses, creosote shrubs, riverside cottonwoods and willows. With minimal water, desert plants, wildflowers, trees and shrubs utilize the abundant energy of the desert sun to produce more plant life, which serves to fuel the desert animals and insects.

Desert Mammals

Desert mammals such as bears, bobcats, coyotes, kit foxes, mule deer, raccoons, rabbits, gophers and squirrels stay cool in the peak desert heat by hiding out in trees or digging burrows underground.

Mountain lions and bobcats are the elusive carnivores of the desert, hunting deer, rabbits, birds, snakes and rodents primarily at night. Coyotes, kit foxes and raccoons are omnivores that survive in the desert by eating cacti, frogs, toads, fish, rabbits, squirrels and anything else they can scavenge.

Mule deer, rabbits and gophers are herbivores that eat roots, tubers, grasses and prickly pear.

Desert Birds and Fish

The desert is home to a variety of birds, such as hawks, owls, ostriches, woodpeckers, cactus wrens and turkey vultures (also known as buzzards).

Desert hawks and owls are carnivores that hunt small mammals, insects and other birds primarily at night, while turkey vultures are carnivores that feed on the dead carcasses of other animals. Ostriches are omnivores that feed on plants, insects, small vertebrates and invertebrates. Woodpeckers and cactus wrens are omnivores that eat ants, beetles and other insects, as well as plants and tree bark.

Desert fish live in the warm pools that are remnants of ancient lakes. The desert pup fish is a low-desert stream fish that feeds on algae and often dies off when the pools dry up during the hottest months. The Sonoran Desert has more than 100 species of freshwater fish. These fish live in what little freestanding water remains from rivers that existed a century ago. Fish such as the loach minnow live in shallow riffles of water only 6 inches deep over gravel beds, feeding almost exclusively on fly larvae. Lower-elevation desert lands still maintain large populations of native fish, including the top minnow, long squawfish, Yaqui chub, desert suckers, razorback sucker and the bonytail chub.

Desert Reptiles and Amphibians

The heat-loving, thick-skinned reptiles and amphibians of the desert include rattlesnakes, lizards, toads and tortoises. Rattlesnakes eat lizards, rodents and small mammals such as rabbits. Desert toads, such as the Sonoran Desert toad, feed on insects, spiders and small mice. Desert lizards, such as the Texas horned lizard, eat vegetation, ants, grasshoppers, insects and small animals. Desert tortoises are herbivores, although occasionally they eat carrion and insects.

Desert Insects and Spiders

Insects and spiders that reside in the desert include bees, ants, butterflies, wasps, mosquitoes and black widow spiders. Bees and butterflies feed on available plant nectar. Wasps and black widow spiders feed on insects and other spiders, while ants eat whatever they can scavenge.

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Plants and animals that live in the desert are conditioned to endure extreme temperatures with minimal water. The number of plant and animal species tenacious enough to survive in the desert number in the tens of thousands, which is a small fraction compared to the hundreds of thousands of plant and animal species that live in the rain forest.

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Centuries old desert plant

The Welwitschia Mirabilis is a plant which is endemic to the Namib desert in Namibia and Southern Angola. Named after Friedrich Welwitsch who "discovered" the plant in 1859, some of the specimen are estimated to be between 1000 and 1500 years old.

A scientifically substantiated examination, which should be taken with a punch of humour.

If a plant makes it to the National Coat of Arms of Namibia it must be a very important and a very beautiful one. Far from it: no garden lover, nature friend nor house owner will put a plant like the Welwitschia into his home ground. A plant that looks like it has just been run over by a dozen 4x4s. So what is it about this plant whose most famous specimen about 50 km out of Swakopmund attracts hundreds of visitors annually?

At least the oryx antelopes, rhinos, zebras and other plant eaters won't ask this question, as they like it so much - they could just eat it up.

It's also not rarity, as the Welwitschia occurs in an area of the Namib Desert that stretches over 1200 km from southern Angola to the mouth of the Kuiseb River. It does not grow directly at the coast, but keeps its distance to it, having its most dense occurrence about 50 to 60 km away from the Atlantic.

Luckily, apart from a dense network of roots close to the ground surface with a diameter of up to 30 metres the Welwitschia also has a taproot that is able to reach groundwater provided that it stands at about 3 metre depth. Most of the water however is taken up by the fine network of roots. Water is provided in the form of dew (fog) as rain is an absolute exception. The assumption that the Welwitschia is able to take up water through the leaves is wrong. The leaves are arranged in such a way that they a well capable of storing water. As the seeds take a while to form sufficient roots to be able to germinate many of them don't survive. Botanists have found out that only about 0.1% of the seeds produced manage to germinate. Like with humans the Welwitschia has female and male specimens, pollination takes place with the help of insects whereby men and plant again differ considerably.

The "discovery" of the Welwitschia

According to relevant works of reference the plant was „discovered" by and named after the Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch in Angola in 1859. Of course the local population had known this plant for much longer and had named it accordingly. In Angola it is called n'tumbo (stump), the Herero name it onyanga (desert onion) and in Afrikaans it is called "twee-blaar-kanniedood" (two-leave-can't-die). The Afrikaaners were clever people as this name describes two characteristic attributes of the Welwitschia: its durability as a desert plant and the fact that it only has two leaves. These two leaves grow continuously, but slowly and pretend, as they are torn with increasing age, to have several leaves or even a whole heap of leaves. With time these leaves frazzle even at their tips as the wind, the hooves of antelopes and other Welwitschia-eaters and some unobserving tourists take their toll. There are exemptions regarding the two leaves. Specimens with two pair of leaves have been found close to the Brandberg. This population with four leaves is estimated to make up 5% of all specimens. Some details of Welwitschia also deviate depending on their habitat in Angola or Namibia so that two sub-species have been identified. It is assumed that the Welwitschia has spread from Namibia up north and has modified itself with time.

Giant Welwitschia and Welwitschia plains

As mentioned a famous specimen is found close to Swakopmund. The location is marked on every tourist map under „interesting things to see". This specific plant is estimated to be at least 1000 years old some even claim it to be 1500 years old. The exact age is not known. One could establish the age more accurately, as the stem of the plant, which can reach a diameter of 1 metre but is mostly covered by sand, has annual rings. That would mean the end of the Welwitschia though. Many visitors travel along the so-called Welwitschia-Drive, which leads 50 km from Swakopmund to the fenced, old Welwitschia at the end of the Welwitschia plains. On the Welwitschia plains an estimated of 6000 plants can be found. The second name of the Welwitschia namely mirabilis, is derived from Latin meaning „wonderful". Nevertheless it is not guaranteed that guest will call out "mirabilis" on sight of the plant. One should also not be surprised that many plants have a circle of stones around them. These have the purpose to keep tourists from getting too close and from destroying the fragile network of roots. These circles have been laid down by many responsible tour guides.

The Welwitschia is not only found in the coat of arms of Namibia, but also in the one of Swakopmund and the Kunene Region. Here it is well understandable as the plant occurs in great numbers. Regarding the coat of arms of Namibia it is more difficult to relate to, but it does stand for endurance, survival in hostile environment and for the perseverance against all odds.

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The Welwitschia Mirabilis is a plant which is endemic to the Namib desert in Namibia and Southern Angola. Named after Friedrich Welwitsch who "discovered" the plant in 1859, some of the specimen are estimated to be between 1000 and 1500 years old.

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Introduction

Weird, peculiar, wonderful, strange, bizarre, fascinating, and of course, unique, are the kind of words that are used to describe the welwitschia. It is one of the few things on Earth that can truly claim to be one of a kind. There really is nothing like it.

Description

Description

An adult welwitschia consists of two leaves, a stem base and roots.That is all! Its two permanent leaves are unique in the plant kingdom.They are the original leaves from when the plant was a seedling, and they just continue to grow and are never shed. They are leathery, broad, strap-shaped and they lie on the ground becoming torn to ribbons and tattered with age. The stem is low, woody, hollowed-out, obconical in shape and sturdy. It grows to about 500 mm in height. The largest recorded specimen is in the Messum Mountains and is 1.8 m high, and another on the Welwitschia Flats near the Swakop River is 1.2 m tall and 8.7 m wide. Carbon dating tells us that on average, welwitschias are 500-600 years old, although some of the larger specimens are thought to be 2000 years old. Their estimated lifespan is 400 to 1500 years. Growth occurs annually during the summer months.

The sexes are separate, i.e. there are male plants and female plants. The male cones are salmon-coloured, small, oblong cone-like structures, and the female cones are blue-green, larger and more tapering. At Kirstenbosch, they flower from mid summer to autumn. The male flowerhas a sterile, modified pistil-like structure, which exudes nectar (50% sugar content) from a modified stigma-like structure. The female cone has exposed stigmas and also produces a nectar droplet.

Cone-bearing plants are often wind pollinated, producing masses of pollen and all at the same time. Welwitschia is clearly not wind pollinated, as it produces smaller amounts of pollen, with the nectar to attract insects, and the flowers open in succession over an extended period, which also encourages cross-pollination. It may be a beetle, but judging by the fact that large distances can separate plants, Ernst van Jaarsveld thinks it is more likely to be a kind of wasp, which he has seen on the male cones in habitat. The female cones reach maturity in the spring, about 9 months after fertilization.

The seeds are 36 x 25 mm and have a large papery wing and are dispersed by wind, in spring, when the female cone disintegrates.In their natural habitat, many seeds are lost to fungal infection and to small desert animals that feed on them. The seeds remain viable for a number of years. They germinate only if fairly heavy rain is spread over a period of several days. As these conditions rarely occur, it often happens that many plants in some colonies are the same age, as they all germinated in the same good year. The seedlings, once established, depend on the fog for survival until the next rains occur.

There are more remarkable features that make Welwitschia so difficult to categorise: Unlike any other plant, the apical growth point of the stem stops growing from an early stage. This causes the stem to grow upwards and outwards, away from the original apex (which remains dead), resulting in the characteristic obconical shape. In older specimens, continued growth results in the undulating of the stem margin. This growth habit is unique. Like other cone-bearing plants (gymnosperms e.g. pines and cycads) it is a dioecious (male and female separate) cone-bearer with naked seeds, but the male 'flowers' or microstroboli are reminiscent of the flowering plants (angiosperms). The water-conducting tissue (xylem) is also typical of the angiosperms.

Conservation Status

Status

Welwitschia has not been assessed by the IUCN Red List. It is still common in its habitat and shows variability, which is a sign that it is far from extinction. They are neither endangered nor rare, nevertheless they are protected by law.

Distribution and habitat

Distribution description

Welwitschia mirabilis grows in isolated communities in the Namib Desert, in a narrow strip, about 1 000 km along up the coast from the Kuiseb River in central Namibia to Mossamedes in southern Angola. The plants are seldom found more than 100 to 150 km from the coast, and their distribution coincides with the fog belt.

Derivation of name and historical aspects

History

Welwitschia mirabilis was discovered by the Austrian botanist,explorer and medical doctor, Friedrich Welwitsch, in 1859 in the Namib Desert of southern Angola. The story goes that he was so overcome by his find that he knelt down next to it and simply stared! ThomasBaines, the renowned artist and traveller, also found a plant in the dry bed of the Swakop River in Namibia in 1861. Welwitsch sent the first material of Welwitschia to Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, Director of Kew, in 1862. Hooker described it and named it in honourof Welwitsch, despite the fact that Welwitsch recommended that it be named Tumboa, its native Angolan name. Its species name mirabilis means marvellous or wonderful in Latin. The specific name was later changed to bainesii to honour both men involved in its discovery, but by the rules of botanical nomenclature, mirabilis is the current and valid name.

Because it is so different from other gymnosperms, Welwitschia was placed in its own family in a small order of gymnosperms called the Gnetales. It shares this order with two other families each containing one genus: the Gnetaceae ( Gnetum, 30 species) and the Ephedraceae ( Ephedra, 40 species). All three genera can stand by themselves, and the relationships between them are remote. There is nothing else like them, and of the three, Welwitschiais the most remote.

Welwitschia is thought to be a relic from the Jurassic period when gymnosperms dominated the world's flora, its ancestor trapped in an environment that slowly but progressively became more arid, and all its close relatives long since disappeared.

Ecology

Ecology

Welwitschia is ecologically highly specialized, and is adapted to grow under arid conditions receiving regular fog. This regular, dense fog is formed when the cold north-flowing Benguela Current meets the hot air coming off the Namib Desert. The fog develops during the night and usually subsides by about 10 a.m The leaves are broad and large and droop downwards. This is an ideal way for it to water its own roots from water collected by condensation. It also has numerous stomata on both leaf surfaces and it was thought that fog-water was taken up directly through these stomata but this has been shown not to be true. The fog has been estimated to contribute 50 mm in annual rainfall, but in spite of the fog, the plants are still dependent on additional sources. Rainfall in this area is erratic and extremely low, only 10 - 100 mm during the summer months. In some years, no rain falls at all. The plants are often confined to dry watercourses or next to higher rainfall regions, and they occasionally grow on rocky outcrops. All these habitats point to an additional underground water supply. The plant has a long taproot, allowing it to reach this underground water.

There are other interesting environmental adaptations. The largest plants are found to the south where the rainfall is the least, whereas in the north where the rainfall is higher the plants are much smaller. The most likely reason for this is that the plants in the north have to compete with savannah vegetation whereas those in the south have little or no competition. Another interesting adaptation is the corky bark, which could be the result of thousands of years of exposure to grass fires so commonly associated with savannah.

Antelope and rhino chew the leaves for their juice during times of drought, and spit out the tough fibres. They also eat the soft part near the groove. This luckily does not damage the plant as they simply grow out again from the meristematic tissue.

Uses

Use

The core, especially of the female plant, was used as food for peoplein earlier times. It is said to be very tasty either raw or baked in hot ashes, and this is how it got its Herero name, onyanga, which means onion of the desert.

Growing Welwitschia mirabilis

Grow

Welwitschia is not a true succulent, yet it is the succulent growers and enthusiasts that are most interested in it. It is caudiciform, yet is not often included in accounts of these plants as it belongs in the 'wrong' family. Tree enthusiasts regard it as a tree driven underground. Ernst van Jaarsveld, who has looked after the succulents at Kirstenbosch since 1976 and who has been successfully cultivating welwitschias in this time, regards Welwitschia as a terminally truncated caudiciform, although initially semi-succulent, woody xerophyte. To cultivate Welwitschia successfully, he recommends that its peculiar native environment be simulated.

At Kirstenbosch, a Welwitschia House was custom-built in 1985 in the Collections Nursery,containing raised beds with bottom heat, filled with mineral-rich, well-drained, red "Vanrhynsdorp sand". Seed was sown in1985 and one of the young plants flowered exactly two years and six months later. This was a new record, and Ernst attributes their success to the bottom heat during winter, the sand, and the regular watering. This house was not open to the public, but in 2009 one of the corner units in the Conservatory was adapted to accommodate Welwitschias. Seedlings were sown in 2009 and the new Welwitschia House was opened to the public in 2013.

At first glance it would appear that Welwitschia would be almost impossible to grow, but this is only partly true. Welwitschias can be grown easily, even as pot plants and even on window sills and verandahs in cooler climates. Once established, the plant will grow steadily and is relatively disease free. The most crucial stage is during its first eight months after germination when it is prone to fungal attack. Also, as it is not a true succulent, it should not be treated as one. It is dependant on additional water from its roots and if grown in a pot, care should be taken that the soil does not dry out completely.

When growing welwitschia there are a few important factors to take into consideration: the long taproot, its dependence on extra moisture and the soil used. Plants from arid regions are often lost to fungal infection caused by soil with a high organic content. It is safer to use a sandy mixture, water more frequently and give supplementary feedings. It is also recommended to use sterilized soil. Older plants tend to accumulate organic debris around themselves which enriches the soil and acts as a mulch, helping to retain water in the upperlayers of the sand for longer.

Seed should be sown during the warmer months, spring or summer. In habitat the seeds are dispersed in spring, but have to wait for rain to fall before they germinate. It is best to sow seed into a large, deep (at least 300 mm, preferably more) container or into an open bed where the plant is intended to remain, because the taproot grows quite fast in the initial stages. If using a container, remember to place a layer of gravel or rocks at the bottom to ensure good drainage. The soil must be sandy and well-drained, e.g. 2 parts sand : 1 part loam : 1 part compost (leaf mould) with ample bonemeal, well mixed and sterilized. Moisten the soil thoroughly before sowing. If using a container, sow two or three seeds per container, near the centre. If more than one germinates, it can be transplanted in its first month, or left to form interesting graft complexes with its sibling. If you have an open bed, scatter them evenly over the surface. Place the seed on top of the soil and just cover it with a layer of sand. Water well and keep in a warm sunny situation. It is important to add a mild fungicide, like Captan, to the water during the first year as it will prevent fungal attack. Keep the soil moist until the seeds have germinated. Germination takes 1 to 3 weeks.

The placement of the ungerminated and germinating seedlings is also important. Choose a well-aerated, warm atmosphere, preferably in filtered sunlight. The plants are very sensitive to sudden changes in light intensity. Never move a plant from a shady situation to full sun, the leaves will burn and the plant may never recover and die. So when moving your plant, make sure that you gradually harden it off to brighter light. Welwitschias in containers can be grown in glasshouses, window sills, verandahs or outdoors in areas with rainfall of below 500 mm per annum. In higher rainfall areas, it may be quite happy on a slope. Also, we do not know its frost tolerance. Just because its habitat is frost-free today, does not mean that it did not have to contend with a colder climate during its evolutionary history.

Germination should occur from 7 days to a few months after sowing.The first sign is the cracking of the soil and the appearance ofthe two cotyledons, initially pink in colour, becoming green. Initial growth is very rapid, particularly the growth of the taproot. It is essential that seedlings in a shallow tray be planted out as soon as the cotyledons appear. Take care when transplanting, if the root tip is damaged or broken, the seedling will die. Keep the seedlings well watered during the first season. The warmer the temperature, the faster they will grow. At Kirstenbosch, the temperature in the Welwitschia House varies between 20 and 40 degrees C in summer and growth is good, 20-30 mm high in three weeks with a taproot 50-70 mm long. It is better to give too much water than too little, but remember the fungicide.

Seedlings should be watered regularly, at least once a week at first, and later watering can be reduced to once every two weeks.The amount of water also depends on the climate, cooler climates requiring less watering than hot dry ones. During the natural resting period in winter, watering should be reduced, and increased in late spring when the weather warms up again.

Welwitschia reacts well to being fed, and 'green up' and grow a bit more rapidly in response to a mild, natural, organic seaweed-based fertilizer added to the water once every three months during the summer. The Kirstenbosch plants also get a dose of inorganic 2:3:4 in the spring.

The cotyledons may last for up to two years in cultivation. They become erect and expand to a length of 27-35 mm and the permanent leaves will then become visible between them. They are always opposite to the cotyledons and it is these two leaves that the plant retains for life. The permanent leaves grow rapidly, soon overtaking the cotyledons. They are upright at first, becoming erectly spreading after 8-12 weeks and eventually diverging. Between the two leaves another pair of what appear to be leaves will appear. These are the cotyledonary buds, also situated opposite the cotyledons. They gradually become swollen and keeled and from here onwards, the peculiar growth habit begins. These cotyledonary buds are in fact axillary buds whose apical growth stops, causing the death of the growing tip. Now, instead of apical growth the buds gradually broaden, eventually merging. The meristematic tissue at the base of the buds now grows sideways, together with the meristematic tissue on the outer sides of the leaf, which causes the leaf groove to deepen and causes the characteristic obconical growth of the stem apex. This growth occurs annually during the warmer months and is visible in concentric rings.Thus age can be roughly estimated by counting these rings, analogous to the growth rings of a tree.

Welwitschia is relatively disease-free, except during its first year or so when it should be watered with a fungicide. They are prone to attack by woolly aphid, but this can be controlled with an insecticide like Malasol. Caterpillars have also been caught on the leaves of the Kirstenbosch plants.

References

VAN JAARSVELD, E. 1990. The cultivation and care of Welwitschia mirabilis: the extraordinary caudiciform from the Namib Desert. Aloe 27; 69-82.

VAN JAARSVELD, E. 2000. Welwitschia mirabilis. Veld & Flora 86: 176-179.

VAN JAARSVELD, E. 1992. Welwitschia mirabilis in cultivation at Kirstenbosch. Veld & Flora 78: 118-120.

CRAVEN, P. & MARAIS, C. 1992. Damaraland Flora. Gamsberg, Macmillan, Windhoek, Namibia.

CRAVEN, P. & MARAIS, C. 1986. Namib Flora. Gamsberg, Macmillan, Windhoek, Namibia.

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Weird, peculiar, wonderful, strange, bizarre, fascinating, and of course, unique, are the kind of words that are used to describe the welwitschia. It is one of the few things on Earth that can truly claim to be one of a kind. There really is nothing like it.

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Small amounts of water and extreme heat make survival in the desert extremely difficult. Here we explore the amazing animals who have adapted to these harsh conditions. You will find many interesting facts listed about these animals.

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Explore our wide variety of animal facts and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom.

Fun Snake Facts for Kids

Check out our range of fun snake facts for kids. Learn about snake skin, snake charming, snake anatomy and much more.

Read on and enjoy a variety of interesting information about snakes.

Snakes are carnivores (meat eaters).

Snakes don't have eyelids.

Snakes can't bite food so have to swallow it whole.

Snakes have flexible jaws which allow them to eat prey bigger than their head!

Snakes are found on every continent of the world except Antarctica.

Snakes have internal ears but not external ones.

Snakes used in snake charming performances respond to movement, not sound.

There are around 3000 different species of snake.

Snakes have a unique anatomy which allows them to swallow and digest large prey.

Snakes are covered in scales.

Snakeskin is smooth and dry.

Snakes shed their skin a number of times a year in a process that usually lasts a few days.

Some species of snake, such as cobras and black mambas, use venom to hunt and kill their prey. Read more venomous snake facts.

Snakes smell with their tongue.

Pythons kill their prey by tightly wrapping around it and suffocating it in a process called constriction.

Some sea snakes can breathe partially through their skin, allowing for longer dives underwater.

Anacondas are large, non-venomous snakes found in South America that can reach over 5 m (16 ft) in length.

Python reticulates can grow over 8.7 m (28 ft) in length and are considered the longest snakes in the world.

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Fun Snake Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about Snakes

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Explore our wide variety of animal facts and learn some fun trivia about our friends in the animal kingdom. Fun Snake Facts for Kids Check out our range of fun snake facts for kids. Learn about snake skin, snake charming, snake anatomy and much more.

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Explore National Geographic, a world leader in geography, cartography and exploration.

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https://study.com/academy/lesson/sidewinder-snake-facts-lesson-for-kids.html

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Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Facts for Kids - NatureMapping

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NatureMapping is a hands-on environmental science and education program linking kids, communities and professionals.

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You're walking through the desert when you hear a dry, rattling sound. That sound is probably a rattlesnake, letting you know to stay away. There are over 32 species of rattlesnakes and they all live in North and South America. In the United States, most rattlesnakes are found in the west and southwest.

Rattlesnakes can grow from 1 to 8 feet long, depending on the species. They all have patterned skin, but their color can vary. All rattlers have a triangle shaped head and eyes with a black slit. Rattlesnake venom is poisonous to humans, but they're not trying to hurt us. They would rather be left alone. They usually only strike if they're scared or startled.

Fun Facts about Rattlesnakes for Kids

Rattlesnakes can't regulate their own body temperature. They lie in the sun to warm up. In the winter, they hibernate together in caves or cliff ledges.

During the summer, rattlesnakes stay underground or in caves during the day. You're most likely to see one in the spring or fall when they're finding a place to hibernate. This is also the time when they're most likely to strike.

Rattles are made of the same material as your fingernails. Baby rattlesnakes don't have rattles. Rattlesnakes grow one rattle each time they shed their skin.

Rattlesnakes give birth to live young. The mother lays eggs, which hatch inside her.

Baby rattlesnakes fend for themselves almost from birth. Baby rattlesnakes might look cute, but they're venomous and aggressive.

Wear boots and long pants when you're hiking. If you see a rattlesnake, move away slowly. Don't try to get close to a rattlesnake.

Rattlesnake Vocabulary

Learn More all About Rattlesnakes

Check out this fun documentary of Steve Irwin about rattlesnake:

A video documentary all about rattlesnakes.

Rattlesnake Q&A

Question: What do rattlesnakes eat?

Answer: Rattlesnakes are carnivores. They eat mostly mice, rabbits, rats or ground squirrels.

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Question: How often do rattlesnakes eat?

Answer: Rattlesnakes eat about once every two weeks. After eating a meal, they lie around for several days digesting it.

Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Rattlesnakes info? Take the FREE & fun Rattlesnakes quiz and download FREE Rattlesnakes worksheet for kids. For lengthy info click here.

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You're walking through the desert when you hear a dry, rattling sound. That sound is probably a rattlesnake, letting you know to stay away. There are over 32 species of rattlesnakes and they all live in North and South America. In the United States, most rattlesnakes are found in the west and southwest.