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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus adamanteus

Range

coastal lowlands ranging from North Carolina to eastern Louisiana and throughout Florida, including the Keys

Habitat

palmetto flatwoods and dry pinelands of the south

Distinguishing Characteristics

One of the largest North American snakes the eastern diamondback can grow up to 8 feet in length and is quite heavy bodied. The base color ranges from olive to brown or even almost black. They are distinguished by a row of large dark diamonds with brown centers and cream-colored borders down its back.

Dietary Classification

Diet in the Zoo: rats & rabbits

Diet in the Wild: small mammals from mice to rabbits

Life Span

can live to be 20 years or more

Behavior/Adaptations

* Males compete for dominance through combat sessions. They raise the front part of their bodies and entwine each other and try to thrown one another to the ground using their necks and bodies.
* If provoked, they will coil and rattle and raise their head in a striking position and if threatened, bite. The eastern diamondback can strike up to two-thirds of its body length.

Status

in trouble due to snake roundups, habitat destruction and general dislike by man

Classification

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Animalia	Chordata	Reptilia	Squamata	Viperidae	Crotalus	adamanteus