Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

Pit Viper and Viper Family (Viperidae)
Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is a venomous thick-bodied snake, usually reaching 3-6 ft in length. The base color is brown, brownish yellow, brownish gray, or olive with large light-bordered dark brown to black diamonds down its back. The diamonds usually become crossbands toward and on the tail. The large broad head has a light-bordered dark stripe that runs diagonally through the eye to the lip. Has a vertical pupil and a large pit between the nostril and eye. Its fangs are hinged and up to an inch long. The scales are keeled. It has a yellowish to cream belly. Has rattles at the end of the tail. Its gives live birth to around 12 young which do not stay with the mother long. Found in the southeastern US in the coastal plain from se NC westward to se LA and southward through FL. It can occur in sandhills, scrub, pine flatwoods, hammocks, barrier islands, prairies and sometimes swamp forests and salt marshes. Forages mostly on small mammals, especially rabbits, and birds. Frequently uses gopher tortoise burrows for shelter. Usually does not climb, but will swim. Temperaments vary. When threatened, it frequently will coil upper body off the ground in an S shape, sometimes rattle its tail, and strike up to two third of its body length. Some will just coil their body into a tight coil and are silent unless it is hard pressed. Its venom is potent, with nearly 40% mortality rate with severe bites. Also known as eastern diamondback, Florida rattlesnake, and southern woodland rattler. Listed as endangered in NC and species of special concern in SC.


Copyright Brett Miley