What is the purpose of a rattlesnake's rattle?

Answer 1

It is there defense or warning to larger animals to keep from being stepped on. One theory is that the rattlesnake developed this appendage while bison roamed in the millions across North America to prevent being stomped on.
They do it to warn animals, or to make animals sounds, like why dogs bark. They rattle with the loose segments at the end of the tail. depending on how it rattles, it may warn other animals to go away or leave it alone

Answer 2

To scare away predators.
The most widely accepted hypothesis for the evolution of the rattle is that the rattle is a warning device for predatory animals that might be a threat to the rattlesnake. It produces a signal to drive them away.

Answer 3

Basically the snakes tail, i.e. the 'shaker' is made up of a lot of muscles which vibrate against each over to produce sound. Each of the segments on the tail are hollow therefore turning the sound into an amplified rattle noise.

I'm not really sure if that was what you were looking for but I hope that's what you needed... For more information you can go to 'rattle snake' wikipedia on the rattle section. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattlesnake#Rattle

Answer 4

The rattlesnake uses the tail to warn animals of their presence. It is thought that the rattle evolved during the time when North America was inhabited by huge herds of large hoofed mammals which posed a threat of the snake being trampled. The rattle serves to notify any animal that they should probably alter their route of travel to prevent an incident that could prove fatal to both snake and mammal.

Answer 5

The rattlesnake uses the tail to warn animals of their presence. It is thought that the rattle evolved during the time when North America was inhabited by huge herds of large hoofed mammals which posed a threat of the snake being trampled. The rattle serves to notify any animal that they should probably alter their route of travel to prevent an incident that could prove fatal to both snake and mammal.

Answer 6

Rattlesnakes use their rattle, made up of dry segments of skin, as a warning. It is thought it evolved during our ancient past when much of the continent of North America was inhabited by large hoofed mammals and the snakes were in constant danger of being trampled.

Answer 7

It's a warning mechanism - telling potential predators "I am dangerous - stay away !"

Answer 8

A rattlesnake uses the rattles on its tail to attract prey towards it.

Answer 9

To defend themselves.
To scare the animal off and also to say to the animal i am near you, I am deadly.

Answer 10

Rattlesnakes use the rattle to advertise the fact that they are rattlesnakes and therefore are dangerous, venomous creatures who should not be attacked.