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And more specifically, a young (or "neonate") Northern Pacific rattlesnake. I think what confused you is the lack of a rattle? What you are seeing is what is called the 'button'- the beginning of the rattle that each rattlesnake is born with. Thereafter, they add a segment every time they shed, so that the rattle becomes longer (& louder) until such time as it may break off. Their rattle is made of keratin, just like our fingernails, and similarly, you cannot tell the age of a person or a rattlesnake that way. What you can tell is how many times the rattlesnake has shed since it was live-born...so you know this guy is a baby. Still deadly venom though, so please be careful & do not handle him! He's a valuable part of nature & I hope you let him go in a safe area, away from people.
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