This is a baby Southern Pacific Rattlesnake. It is about 12 inches long and probably less than 4 weeks old. Rattlesnakes are not hatched from eggs...they are born live and ready for action. Their venom is a potent as the adults. This particular specimen has a beautiful light slate color pattern. It was also very hungry and immediately killed and ate a newborn (pinky) mouse. S. Pacific rattlers are not as aggressive as western and eastern diamond backs and timber rattlers. They can reach over 5 feet in exceptional examples. Certain populations of these snakes near the Ventura County line turn almost black as adults.