If it was a Camp Pendleton rattler, I hope you tried to resuscitate it before declaring it deceased. When I was stationed a Pendleton (many years ago) I remember the base commander had standing orders against harming any of the "base rattle snakes". When ever you'd see a platoon of recruits suddenly move to the oblique in formation, it was a pretty safe bet there was a snake in the road. I also remember the recruits using their guide-ons to clear the butts on the range of the sleepy snakes sunning themselves in the morning.
I truly loved my time in the Corps. Instead of being eccentric, we were "just Marines."
Semper Fi, James
Keith