The maximum reported total length is 189.2 cm (74.5 in) (Klauber, 1956). Holt (1924) mentions a large specimen caught in Montgomery County, Alabama, which had a total length of 159 cm (62.6 in) and weighed 2.5 kg (5.5 lb). Large specimens can reportedly weigh as much as 4.5 kg (9.9 lb).
The correct term is "venomous", and yes, all rattlers are.
Yes, rattlers will eat rats, and many other rodents.
Rattlers are pit vipers, and as such, are related to copperheads and cottonmouths.
Birds, such as hawks and roadrunners, other snakes, foxes, coyotes, even humans take rattlers.
Maybe forty pounds, but rattlers don't get over eight feet long.
Timber rattlers can be found in western Maryland.
Hawks, eagles, roadrunners, weasels, raccoons, skunks, kingsnakes and a variety of other mammals and birds will eat rattlesnakes, especially young rattlers. Even tarantulas will eat young rattlers.
Baby rattlers are born with all the tools they need to survive, and began to move away shortly after birth.
UP To 25 eggs inside the Mother {Female Rattlesnake} The Female Gives Live Birth Of Up to TEN, Ready to Go Young Rattlers ,Also Many of The Rattlers will Not Survive The First Year, Due to Other Wildlife and Even Other Venomous Snakes Preying on Smaller Vipers and Snakes .
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I am not sure what you mean by eastern rattlesnake as there is no such species. There is the eastern diamondback rattlesnake and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and neither is found in Kentucky. The timber rattlesnake, however, is found there.
The largest reported measurement for a western diamondback rattlesnake is 92.5 inches (Jones, 1997)