Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus adamanteus

Range: South from the Carolinas and west to Louisiana.

Habitat: Dry habitats from wooded areas to sandy beaches. Often live in gopher tortoise burrows or in stumps.

Size: This is the largest venomous snake in North America. The average length is about five and a half feet.

Coloration: Color is grayish brown patterned with light-centered dark diamonds bordered by a row of yellow or cream-colored scales. A dark line runs through the eyes to the back of the jaw.

Diet: In the wild, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes prey on rabbits, squirrels and birds.

Reproduction: Eight to 12 venomous young are born in September. The young are on their own as there is no parental care.

General: Diamondbacks lurk motionless in shadows for hours. When they are disturbed, their warning rattle is loud and clear. Generally, from a standing-coiled position, they can accurately strike at least one third of their body length.

This snake has fangs that are long, hinged and folded back against the roof of its mouth when the mouth is closed. When the snake strikes, the mouth opens and the fangs are erected. The venom travels down from the gland through a duct into a small canal running the length of the fang. This hollow curved tooth has an opening at the tip, similar to a hypodermic needle, through which the venom is injected.

Rattlesnakes shed their skin several times a year, gaining one new rattle segment with each shed. There is no correlation between the number of rattles and the age of the snake (unless the snake only shed once a year). Also, as the rattle grows, the terminal rattles tend to become brittle and can break off when the snake is crawling through the underbrush.