Predators like rattlesnakes play a crucial role in the Sonoran Desert by controlling rodent populations, preventing overgrazing and maintaining ecological balance.

Rattlesnakes are apex predators in the Sonoran Desert, feeding primarily on rodents such as mice and rats. By keeping rodent populations in check, they prevent excessive seed consumption and plant destruction, which helps maintain the delicate desert ecosystem. Their presence also benefits other predators, such as hawks and coyotes, by stabilizing prey numbers. Without rattlesnakes, rodent overpopulation could lead to habitat degradation and increased competition for resources, disrupting the balance of the Sonoran Desert food chain.