You're right, that's nuts. I wonder how often rattlesnakes fight.

I was searching but was distracted by this tidbit:

The common kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula), a constrictor, is immune to the venom of rattlesnakes and other vipers, and rattlesnakes form part of its natural diet. Rattlesnakes sense kingsnakes' presence by their odor.[18] When they realize a kingsnake is nearby, they begin enacting a set of defensive postures known as "body bridging". Unlike its normal erect and coiled defensive-striking posture, the rattlesnake keeps its head low to the ground in an attempt to prevent the kingsnake from gaining a hold of it (the head being the first part of the rattlesnake that is ingested). The rattlesnake jerks its body about, while bridging its back upwards, forming an elevated coil which faces the kingsnake. The elevated coil is used to strike the attacker, and is also used to shield the head from the kingsnake.[19]

This rattlesnake did not do it right.

Snakes eating snakes feels wrong.

Then again, some fish eat other fish and some mammals eat other mammals.

Last night I had a dream that I was bitten in the soft spot between my chest and neck by a large rattlesnake. 

Go on....

Snake vampires?