Need Assistance: Is this a gopher snake or a rattlesnake?

[mclund]

Originally Posted by JustMe86

A friend on Facebook who's into reptiles, but particularly chameleons, not snakes, told me that is indeed the sign of a developing rattle, however bull snakes and some gopher snakes have this imitation as well as the rattling action. I don't know if this is true or not. Very interesting, especially at how these non-venomous snakes have evolved to imitate venomous snakes.

Great thread..lots of great information.

FYI

Rattlesnakes are born with a "button" each time they shed they gain another segment. They will however still shake the button, even though it makes no sound. A popular myth is telling the age of the rattler by counting the segments. Snakes shed at different intervals, so age can not be told by counting the segments.