How does a rattlesnake gather its food?
Most rattlesnakes are 'ambush' predators. They locate an area
where their food is (mainly rodents), and simply wait for the food
to come to them.
A typical example would be - a rattlesnake locates a well-used
trail, and settles down beside it. When a rat or mouse runs past
the snake it strikes out, injecting venom into the victim (and
releasing it). The rodent would only manage to run a short distance
before succumbing to the toxins in the snake's bite.