Rattlesnake

Michigan's rattlesnakes are small and timid compared to their western cousins.  The snake pictured above is a Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) at Theodore Roosevelt National Park.  Like other snakes, rattlesnakes are cold-blooded (or poikilothermic) so they often warm themselves on roads.  Rattlesnakes eat a variety of rodents and other small animals.  In general they avoid conflict with people, but if disturbed their bite is venomous.   

This post is part of a series of Road Trip posts.