Georgia's Reptiles and Amphibians

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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus Adamanteus

VENOMOUS

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Found in Southern Florida

Description:

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is a large heavy bodied pit viper. It has large diamond-shaped markings outlined that are normally a black to grey color. The diamonds are outlined with white on a brown, gray, yellowish, or even black background. They have a distinctive rattle at the end of the tail. They also have a light stripe that goes down on each side of the face. Juvenile Eastern Diamondback’s color pattern is the same as the adults. They are the largest venomous snake in North America. They can reach lengths up to and over 8 feet with the largest recorded was at 8ft 3in.

 

Habitat:

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake’s habitat includes the longleaf pine/saw palmetto fields, lower coastal plains, sandhill habitat, and coastal islands with comparable habitat. This snake can often be found near a gopher tortoise colony since they use the tortoise’s burrow for cover and hibernation. They can also sometimes be found under pieces of tin or crossing the road in the morning and evening. They have also been found in Pine Plantations where quail and small rodents thrive.

 

Prey:

The Eastern Diamondback’s primary food source is rabbits. They will also eat squirrels, cotton rats, voles, and cotton mice.

 

Abundance and Behavior:

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake has been coming increasable uncommon. They are endangered in several states including North Carolina. This snake, which used to be everywhere in the southeast, population has been decreasing in the last 20 years. One big reason is the hunting (Rattlesnake Roundup) for these snakes, which still goes out through the southeast. The rattlesnake roundup is when they go out and catch as many rattlesnakes as possible, and then they will chop their heads in the end and eat them. This is a very cruel and vicious act. The snake is very secretive, and on only a rare occasion this snake will come across people in the southern counties of Georgia. This snake is mostly crepuscular (comes out at dawn and dusk). The reason for this is that its favorite food source, which is rabbits, are out at this time too. They are almost strictly are found out during Daylight unlike their close cousin the Timber/Canebrake Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). The Eastern Diamondback hibernates through winter except for the portion of Southern Florida which stays warm year round. In spring they can be found right next to Stump holes which they hibernate in during winter. Also they can also be found near Gopher Tortoise holes where they all hibernate in winter. They can be found occasionally around the borders of swamps where there is a Saw Palmetto. Okefenokee Swamp is a place like that.

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Live and Let Live

All photos are taken by myself unless noted otherwise. All photos are Copyright 2005-2006. If you would like to use any of my photos just email me and I will be happy to let anyone use them.

 

Need Help Identifing a Snake In your area? First though look through the photos of the snakes and if still have questions email me at timberrattlesnake89@gmail.com and I will take a look at it. And most likely be able to get you a correct anwser. Also please do not send me pictures of snakes that have been choped up into pieces. This really distresses me and I have gotten several emails where there were people who showed me pictures of snakes that they killed and all have turned out to be non-venomous.

 

Never Pick Up, Handle, or Try To Kill Any Venomous Snakes! Most Bites Occur That Way! Never Pick Up A Snake That You Are Uncertain About!

 

Disclaimer!!! Please do not do anything you see me do on this website. Some of these animals are very dangerous and I understand the risk of working with them. The bite from some of these animals can easily kill me or do extreme harm. If you do want to get into venomous herpeculture please do as much research as possible about them before considering working with them. Also I would suggest getting proper training from professional before working with them too. I do not accept any responsibility for anyone elses actions.