Rattlesnakes Experience Calming Effects in Each Other's Company, Study Shows

Rattlesnakes show less stress and calmer heart rates when another snake is present nearby, according to research on the reptiles.
The study provides the first evidence of "social buffering," the ability to find comfort from the presence of another, in reptiles.
Snakes were found to rattle less and return to a calmer state faster when accompanied by another snake, suggesting they rely on one another in times of stress.
The findings challenge the perception of reptiles as less social creatures and indicate rattlesnakes may have a more complex social dynamic than previously understood.
Further research could provide insights into how social buffering impacts rattlesnakes' stress levels and welfare in captivity.