Is a Diamondback snake a reptile?

Is a Diamondback snake a reptile?

These stout-bodied pit vipers generally live in the dry, pine flatwoods, sandy woodlands, and coastal scrub habitats from southern North Carolina to Florida and west to Louisiana. Their pattern of yellow-bordered, light-centered black diamonds makes them among the most strikingly adorned of all North American reptiles.

Is a rattlesnake a reptile?

Rattlesnakes are highly specialized, venomous reptiles with large bodies and triangle-shaped heads. They are one of the most iconic groups of North American snakes due to the characteristic “rattle” found at the tip of the tail. Almost all reptiles, including rattlesnakes, are ectothermic (cold-blooded).

What is the species of a diamondback rattlesnake?

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is a species of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States….

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Crotalus
Species:	C. adamanteus
Binomial name

How poisonous is the western diamondback rattlesnake?

However, because of its large venom glands and specialized fangs, the western diamondback rattlesnake can deliver a large amount of venom in a single bite. The average venom yield per bite is usually between 250 and 350 mg, with a maximum of 700–800 mg. Severe envenomation is rare but possible, and can be lethal.

What kind of snake is a diamondback rattlesnake?

Identifying Features. The Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is a heavy bodied snake with a triangular shaped head. There are two dark diagonal lines on each side of its face running from the eyes to its jaws. It has dark diamond-shaped patterns along is back. The tail has black and white bands just above the rattles.

What kind of snake live in the west?

They’re also one of the most iconic animals in the American West: The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is, as far as rattlesnakes go, a generalist. It can live in a wide variety of habitat and climates.

Why does a diamondback rattlesnake shed its skin?

Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes shed their skin from time to time as their body grows. This is intended for new skin to grow in place of the old one. Shedding is more common in younger Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes because of how they are still rapidly growing.

What are the names of the rattlesnakes in Arizona?

Common names for this species include: western diamondback rattlesnake, western diamond-backed rattlesnake, adobe snake, Arizona diamond rattlesnake, coon tail, desert diamond-back, desert diamond rattlesnake, fierce rattlesnake, spitting rattlesnake, buzz tail, Texan rattlesnake, Texas diamond-back, and Texas Rattler.

What are threats to a western diamondback rattlesnake?

The loss of natural habitat by expanding desert communities is the greatest threat to the western diamondback rattlesnake. Fortunately for these magnificent snakes, much of their natural habitat still lies in areas of extreme dryness and heat.

Is eastern diamondback bigger than western diamondback?

While there are some reports of Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes getting very large (over 7′ long), this is very rare, and even more rare here in Arizona. Diamondbacks found in the Eastern part of their range in Texas tend to get larger, in-part due to having larger prey to eat, and more of it.

How big do western diamondback rattlesnakes get?

The adult Western Diamondback rattlesnake ranges in size from 3 to 5 feet, with some reaching 7 feet in length.

What do Western diomonback rattlesnakes eat?

What they eat: The Western Diamondback eats small mammals such as chipmunks, prairie dogs, gophers, ground squirrels, rabbits, mice and rats. The snake will also eat birds within reach. In a matter of seconds, rattlesnakes can leave a fatal bite by injecting venom into its prey. Rattlesnakes swallow their prey whole, then digest as the food