The Diamondback, or Diamondback Rattlesnake, a type of pit viper. Description: The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest of the 32 species of rattlesnake currently recognized. The Western Diamondback can exceed seven feet in length, and is the king of our twenty odd species of Southwestern desert rattlers. These snakes hunt mainly at night or in the early morning. Each distinct species has its own range. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. The average rattlesnake can live 15 to 20 years. According to IUCN, the Western diamondback rattlesnake is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Regardless of these interactions, both species have strong population numbers. Key participants in the food chain, Western diamondbacks are important predators of many small rodents, rabbits, and birds. Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is, as far as rattlesnakes go, a generalist. Zoos and research facilities keep these snakes to help educate the public and to collect their venom. At birth, the young snakes are fully independent and self-sufficient. Western diamondback rattlesnakes are one of the most aggressive rattlesnakes in North America, and usually coils and rattles when threatened. Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see. As winter arrives, the Western species congregates in large numbers to hibernate. Most rattlesnake species live near open, rocky areas, as the rocks offer cover from predators. However, they do suffer locally from habitat destruction and roadkill. They use their camouflage to hide quietly and wait for prey to pass near them. There are 36 identified species of rattlesnakes as of 2014. Female rattlesnakes only reproduce once every two years and carry the eggs inside their bodies for about 90 days. Western diamondback rattlesnakes are carnivores. They feed upon mice, rats, rabbits, gophers, ground dwelling birds, lizards and other small animals. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are well known for their rattle and painful, venomous bite, which can be fatal to humans. Both of these rattlesnakes have a similar appearance. Venomous and poisonous snakes of Florida,the State of Florida is home to the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Canebrake Rattlesnake, Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake, Southern Copperhead, Florida Cottonmouth and the Eastern Coral Snake. One of the most important things you can do to protect your home and family is to rattlesnake proof your yard. The Western Diamondback is known for its erratic behaviour and is easily excited, causing the most fatalities in the US of any other snake. Each of these two Diamondback species has its own unique distribution. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Timber rattlesnake … The snakelets are fully-developed and capable of delivering a venomous bite from the moment they are born. A wide range of rattlesnakes live across the U.S. and North America, and some varieties live in South America as well. From The Book of Deadly Animals by Gordon Grice. In fact, Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes display cannibalistic tendencies in the sense that they will also eat young or juvenile Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes when given a chance to do so. In Arizona, this means any area where the city borders native Sonoran Desert habitat is also likely a resource for the Western Diamondback. The Eastern prefers woodlands, forests, scrubby areas, grasslands, fields, and more. Breeding Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes mate in the spring following their winter hibernation. The western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) lives in the deserts and semi-deserts of the western United States. Answer Save. Their color varies depending on the soil background from gray, brown, pink, or yellowish colors with distinct diamond-shaped blotches on their back. Western rattlesnakes are live on the ground but sometimes may climb into shrubs or trees. If you would like to order a specific rattle, please go to our Gallery to pick the exact one shown. Rattlesnakes are found in almost every type of habitat, including prairies, marshes, deserts, and forests, but individual species can have extremely specific habitat requirements. This ground color is overlaid dorsally with a series of dorsal body blotches that are dark gray-brown to brown in color. And unlike tiger rattlesnakes and black-tailed rattlesnakes, both of which tend to den by themselves, Western diamondbacks often den in groups of up to 10 to 20 individuals in the same area. This snake hunts by ambush, and needs sufficient ground cover to sneak up on prey. The Western diamondback, identified by diamond markings along its back and black and white rings on its tail, resides everywhere but the easternmost section of the state. The western diamondback rattlesnake is the largest of the 32 known species of rattlesnakes found in North America, capable of growing to a length of 8.5 feet (2.6 meters). Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox-Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are found throughout the Southwest and are, by far, the most common rattlesnake encountered in Bandelier National Monument.-Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes can be distinguished from most other rattlesnakes by a series of black and white bands just above their rattles. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The Eastern species hibernates alone. Gestation lasts 6 or 7 months and broods average 10 to 25 young. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake lives in the southeastern United States. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox. Rattlesnake Reproduction. These snakes can move their rattle back and forth 60 times per second. Full grown rattlesnakes can range from 3 to 7 feet in length. 1. Copeia, reports that the rattlesnakes do not wander randomly through their Southwestern Oklahoma habitat. "Western diamondback rattlesnakes grow to more than seven feet long and 30 pounds, and they kill more human beings than any other snake in North America." Most Bites by Rattlesnakes . Some reach 8 feet in length and weigh up to 10 pounds. There are no major threats to Western diamondback rattlesnakes. They prefer a temperate, desert, or warm and humid climates. Residents of the Southwestern United States likely have heard the distinctive buzz of these pit vipers. The average rattlesnake can live 15 to 20 years. They are viviparous meaning that females give birth to live young. After a period of 167 days, 10 - 20 young are produced. Usually inactive between late October and early March, these snakes occasionally may be seen basking in the sun on warm winter days. Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes mainly feed on small mammals, birds and lizards. The western diamondback rattlesnake Rattlesnakes are found in almost every type of habitat, including prairies, marshes, deserts, and forests, but individual species can have extremely specific habitat requirements. If you live in the western part of the United States, chances are you've had to watch out for them in your backyard and thought about how to protect your family. “Rattles are segments of keratin that fit loosely inside one another at the end of the snake’s tail,” explained Sara Viernum, a herpetologist based in Madison, Wisconsin. Crotalus viridis (Common names: prairie rattlesnake, western rattlesnake, Great Plains rattlesnake, and others) is a venomous pit viper species native to the western United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico. Even though potentially deadly, western diamondback rattlesnakes are fondly displayed and even celebrated in our modern culture. However there is a report of another specimen beat the Cedar Hill record by only half an inch. 2 0 Diamondback Rattlesnake Habitat & Behavior: There are three species diamondback rattlesnakes in the United States, and they collectively cover the majority of the southern, southwestern, and western states and some of Mexico. The Western species ranges throughout much of the southern United States and into Mexico. The City of Tucson, AZ. Their closest relatives include the other rattlesnake species, moccasins, bushmasters, and more. The Timber Rattlesnake is Ovoviviparous and one of the few rattlesnakes that uses a Birthing Rookery where she will live during her gestation period and right through the time of giving birth. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Facts. That said, human deaths from rattlesnake bites are rare, because the antivenom is available throughout its range. They actually give birth to live young. Each distinct species has its own range. Outside of breeding season and hibernation these snakes live solitary lives. Western diamondback rattlesnakes usually mate during the fall. There are more than 24 rattlesnake species and all of them have that most-famous feature: the rattle! Other species, like Speckled Rattlesnakes and Tiger Rattlesnakes, tend to den in a general area rather than a particular crack year-after-year, so avoiding the creation of an accidental den can be challenging. They can be found living in deserts, grassy plains, forests, rocky hillsides, and areas along the coast. In Arizona, this means any area where the city borders native Sonoran Desert habitat is also likely a resource for the Western Diamondback. The western diamondback lives in the southwestern United States and Mexico.The eastern diamondback lives in the southeastern United States. A rattlesnake can move the rattle on its tail back and forth 20-100 times in just one second. The Western Diamondback can exceed seven feet in length, and is the king of our twenty odd species of Southwestern desert rattlers. Dormancy: Most rattlesnakes depending on where they live either remain dormant for the winter months or do not move to different locations if the year round temperature is constant. Full grown rattlesnakes can range from 3 to 7 feet in length. Humans hunt this reptile for its skin, meat, and for “roundups” to remove them from an area. A wide range of rattlesnakes live across the U.S. and North America, and some varieties live in South America as well. Some days after giving birth, the Timber Rattlesnake makes the journey along with her babies back to the den (as far as 1.5 miles away). Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake in North America. Rattlesnakes exist in almost all areas of the lower 48 states. It ranges from Virginia through the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and parts of Louisiana. Their namesake rattle is a highly effective warning sign, signaling predators to stay away. It lives in elevations from below sea level up to 6500 feet (2000m). To view a range map of the two species click on this link. Hawks, owls, coyotes, bobcats and other snakes occasionally prey on rattle snakes, but in reality, few animals (if any) make rattlesnake the staple of their diet. Rats and mice are their most common prey, but they also eat squirrels, birds, frogs, lizards, rabbits, quail, and more. There are 36 identified species of rattlesnakes as of 2014. In turn, they are preyed upon by a variety of larger mammals and birds, such as coyotes, foxes, hawks, and owls. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)Species Code: CRAT Description: Rattlesnakes are species of poisonous snakes generally called "pit vipers". They found that a water droplet hitting the back of a western diamondback rattlesnake breaks into … Western diamondback rattlesnakes are generally solitary creatures. The Western diamondback rattlesnake is a medium-sized venomous snake found in Northern America. However, there are studies that show that the Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are not as cannibalistic as other species of anoles. Adults are usually 33-72 in (84-183 cm) long, but the largest individual on record was 96 in (244 cm). Distribution of the Diamondback. Children should not wear flip-flops while playing outdoors in snake country. Other common names of these snakes include desert diamond-back, desert diamond rattlesnake, fierce rattlesnake, spitting rattlesnake, buzz tail, Texan rattlesnake, Texas diamond-back, and Texas rattler. Neonates (newborn) timber rattlesnakes are about 10-14 inches long at birth. The western diamondback rattlesnake is found in deserts, grasslands, pink-oak forests, coastal plains, and rocky canyons of the U.S.A and Mexico. People refer to two species of rattlesnakes as “Diamondbacks,” the Eastern and the Western. Startled rattlesnakes may not rattle before striking defensively. Timber rattlesnakes are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. For the most part, around Tucson, at this elevation and with the winters we have, almost all reptiles undergo a hibernation period. The Eastern species lives only in the Southeast United States. Their scales have brown or tan coloration, with dark-colored diamond-shaped patterns along their backs. 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