Contrary to expectations, rattlesnakes grow when they are starving. Scientists found that in times of food deprivation, the snakes essentially eat themselves from the inside to create muscle and bone and increase their length. Researchers also discovered the most primitive known snake. Though it was known that millions of years ago snakes slithered around with hind legs, this snake was the first known to have hips as well. The discovery could help scientists untangle snake evolution.