Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake — printable fact sheet

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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus adamanteus

Crotalus adamanteus is the largest rattlesnake that has ever existed and the heaviest venomous snake in the Americas, with reliable records over 2.4 m and weights approaching 10 kg. Its life is tied to the longleaf pine savannas of the southeastern United States and, specificall…

Classification

Reptile

Family

Viperidae

Habitat

Dry pine forests, coastal scrub, and sandy woodlands

Diet

Carnivore

Conservation status

Vulnerable

Lifespan

10-20 years

Weight

2-6 kg

Scientific name

Crotalus adamanteus

Did you know?

An adult Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake can grow up to 2.4 meters (about 8 feet) long, making it the heaviest venomous snake in the Americas.
Diamondbacks swim readily and have been recorded crossing open salt water between barrier islands off Florida and Georgia. They locate warm-blooded prey with heat-sensing pits between the eye and nostril, which are precise enough to strike accurately in complete darkness. The bold diamond pattern that gives the snake its name is remarkably effective camouflage in dappled pine litter, and most are stepped over rather than seen. A rattlesnake can control whether it injects venom, and a substantial share of defensive bites are dry.

What I learned

Draw the eastern diamondback rattlesnake

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