I discovered this rattlesnake on the trail, approximately 1 mile south of Vandeventer
Shelter.  Rattlesnakes (scientific name: Crotalus) belong to the class of venomous
snakes known as pit vipers. They are characterized by the presence of a "rattle" at
the tip of the tail used to warn off predators and threats.  There are approximately
fifty species of rattlesnake.  Rattlesnake bites are always potentially serious or even
fatal injuries.