Does a rattlesnake add a rattle each year?

The rattle is composed of a series of nested, hollow beads which are actually modified scales from the tail tip. Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new rattle segment is added. Newborn rattlesnakes do not have a rattle, they gain one after the first time they shed their skin. Adult snakes may lose their rattles on occasion, but more appear at each molting. If the rattle absorbs enough water in wet weather, it will not make noise.