I'm from Grew up in Wyoming. Out there we have Prairie rattlers. The biggest I've ever seen myself is around 4 feet. I have a opinion when to kill rattlers and not to. Rattlers are a valuable hunter in the western states. Most of them Ive seen have been in prairie dog towns. I will not kill a snake if it gives me warning. Prime example out hunting and walking though Sage brush and the next thing I here. You guessed it. about 10 feet away. Plenty of warning I went around. They just want ot be left alone. Let em live and keep the rodent population down. Plus they fascinate me and I find them absolutely beautiful