I don't think any sane person would knowingly disturb a rattler, as this statement suggests. Too many find themselves right on top of one before they know it. If one could, just apologize and back away, when confronted by a rattler, there would be no problem. But that doesn't work.
As another poster stated, I can think of no redeeming values rattlers have. On the contrary, when one considers the human lives they have taken, I think they should be removed from the face of the earth. As well as other critters which kill people. Any part they play in our environment has too high a price.
Well, most rattlesnake bites don't end in death for humans.
They are a natural part of the states ecosystem, just like them pesky mosquito's which probably kill far more people from the diseases they can carry than rattlesnakes do.
Besides, if you killed off all the rattlers, then what would I eat?
OK, I've only eaten one so far in my life, but I would like to dine on another someday.