Here's the Traditional Ballad Index entry for this song:

Rattlesnake

DESCRIPTION: Various animals are asked about their characteristics, e.g. "Muskrat, muskrat, what makes you smell so bad? I've been in the bottom all my life Till I'm mortified in my head." "Rattlesnake, rattlesnake, what makes your teeth so white?"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1925 (recording, Land Norris)
KEYWORDS: animal questions dialog nonballad
FOUND IN: US(Ap)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
Lomax-FSNA 83, "Rattlesnake" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber-FSWB, p. 394, "Muskrat" (1 text)
Roud #6395
RECORDINGS:
Land Norris, "Muskrat" (OKeh 40404, 1925)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Mister Rabbit" (theme)
File: LoF083

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The Ballad Index Copyright 2012 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.