4. Why are rattlesnakes necessary to the balance of life in a forest? They eat rodents and are eaten by owls and hawks.
They are not useful to the balance of life and are dangerous to humans.
They compete with raptors for the same food source.
They eat insects which and are then eaten by raptors.

They eat rodents and are eaten by owls and hawks

They are important because without them, the rodent population could become too numerous. Rodents like to chew on tree roots and other plants for nutrients, but this kills the plant. Too many rodents can cause a mass imbalance leading to the death of hundreds of other animals

2hydrogen and 1 covalent