Show rattlers wont tell popular supposition has it that the number ot of rattles borne by a snake indicates its age in years A new rattle Is required each time that a snake sheds its skin and several er al rattles may be added annually tho the california fish and game commission reports the studies indicate that young snakes in their year ot of growth gain besides the original button two to four rattles medium sized snakes during their second or third year often gain two rattles annually adults most frequently add only one rattle a year but sometimes gain two |