Rattlesnakes are famous for buzzing their tails as a warning but a lot of other species of snake use the same idea.

The advantage the Rattlesnake has is that it carries it’s own rattle on the end of it’s tail. The actual ‘rattle’ is made up of old scales from previous sheds.

The other snakes rely on the vibration against fallen leaves etc. This helps to amplify the sound and will hopefully be enough to frighten off any would be predator.

You will see many hatchling snakes buzzing their tails but they soon learn that you aren’t a threat and stop doing it.

Jim Lind