How long does a eastern diamondback rattlesnake live?
15 to 20 years
The natural lifespan of an eastern diamondback rattlesnake is probably 15 to 20 years, but evidence from the field indicates that few individuals today live longer than 10 years, likely due to exploitation for the skin trade, vehicle strikes and other human-driven threats.
How do Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes kill their prey?
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake — the largest rattlesnake in the world — has amazing adaptations for capturing prey (but poses little threat to humans). Each snake is equipped with a pair of long, curved, hollow fangs that connect with venom glands and fold within the mouth when not in use.
How poisonous are Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes?
The Eastern Diamondback has an extremely potent snake venom, and delivers it in great quantities, with an average yield of 410 mg (dried venom) per bite. The estimated average human lethal dose is around 100–150 mg. If left untreated the bite mortality rate is between 10% and 20%, but less than 1% when treated.
How deadly is the eastern diamondback?
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake has the reputation of being the most dangerous venomous snake in North America. While not usually aggressive, it is large and powerful. Wright and Wright mentioned a mortality rate of 30%, but other studies show a mortality rate of 10–20% (untreated).
What kind of prey does an eastern diamondback rattlesnake eat?
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are carnivores that feed on small mammals, birds, other reptiles, and insects. Prey include rabbits, lizards, squirrels, rats, mice, quail, young turkeys, and any smaller animals when larger targets are unavailable. The snake either waits to ambush prey or else actively forages.
What does an eastern diamondback rattlesnake look like?
Like other snakes, the diamondback is not aggressive. However, it can deliver a venomous bite. When threatened, the eastern diamondback raises the front half of its body off the ground and forms an S-shaped coil. The snake may vibrate its tail, causing the rattle segments to sound. However, rattlesnakes sometimes strike silently.
How often does the diamondback rattlesnake get killed?
The official roundup kills about 2,000 eastern diamondbacks each year, and hunters freeze the snakes until their bodies can be collected for their skin. Overall, the snakeskin trade could account for up to 20,000 diamondback deaths a year within its range.
What kind of habitat does eastern diamondback snake live in?
Eastern diamondbacks sit and wait in shady areas, usually the underbrush of their environment. They hunt their prey both during the day and at night, using infrared heat detection in low-light conditions. These snakes are very patient; they only need around 3-4 big meals each year, due to their low need for caloric intake.
What are the Predators of diamondback rattlesnakes?
Adult eastern diamondback rattlesnakes do not have any natural predators, but young rattlesnakes have many, including hogs, gray foxes, red-tailed hawks and kingsnakes, as well as other carnivorous mammals, raptors and snakes .
What are facts about the diamondback rattlesnake?
- The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is a species of pit viper snakes. The scientific name for this snake species is Crotalus adamanteus.
- it is the heaviest and the largest. It is highly venomous.
- Did you know that Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake was featured in American Revolution?
What predators does the eastern diamondback rattlesnake have?
Adult eastern diamondback rattlesnakes do not have any natural predators, but young rattlesnakes have many, including hogs, gray foxes, red-tailed hawks and kingsnakes , as well as other carnivorous mammals, raptors and snakes. Diamondbacks are mostly solitary.
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
