Rattlesnakes give birth to live young (they are ovoviviparous), with broods typically ranging from 1 to 60 babies, though the average number is about 4 to 10 young per litter
. Some sources note that while females may carry up to 25 eggs internally, usually only 4 to 10 live young are born
. The number of babies can vary by species and environmental factors. For example, timber rattlesnakes usually have litters of 3 to 13 young
, while western diamondback rattlesnakes give birth to about 10 to 20 young at a time
. Females typically reproduce every 2 to 3 years rather than annually
. The young are born fully equipped with venom and fangs and have a small button on the end of their tail, which develops into rattles as they shed their skin
. In summary:
- Average brood size: 4–10 young, can be up to 60 in some cases
- Typical range by species: 3 to 25 babies per litter
- Reproductive frequency: every 2 to 3 years
- Young are born live, venomous, and independently capable
This reflects natural variation among rattlesnake species and populations.
