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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus adamanteus

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is a big snake known for its diamond-shaped patterns on its back. It makes a rattling sound with its tail when it feels threatened.

Habitat: Dry, sandy areas and forests.

Appearance

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is North America's largest venomous snake, featuring a heavy body with a striking pattern of dark diamonds outlined in light-colored scales on a brown, tan, or gray background. It has a distinctive rattle on its tail and pale yellow undersides.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassSquamataOrderSerpentesFamilyViperidaeGenusCrotalus
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
wildlife trait badgeambush_predator trait badgeancient_lineage trait badgeforest trait badge
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Category

Reptiles

Rarity

Rare

Danger

5/5 · Extreme

Snaps

4

Interesting facts

Its impressive rattle is made of keratin, the same material as your fingernails!

Newborn diamondbacks are instantly dangerous, born with full fangs and potent venom!

They can survive for weeks without food after a big meal, thanks to their slow metabolism!

This snake's bite delivers the most venom of any North American snake!

Special abilities

Ability

Sound Alarm

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake has a keratin rattle on its tail that helps them warn off predators.

Ability

Precision Strike

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake can deliver potent venom through hinged fangs that helps them overpower prey quickly.

Ability

Heat Vision

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake has special heat-sensing pits that help them locate warm-blooded prey in darkness.

Ability

Natural Camouflage

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake has diamond patterns that help them blend perfectly into pine forest leaf litter.

Measurements & details

Length
100-180 cm
Weight
2-5 kg
Lifespan
10-20 years
Top Speed
5 km/h
Swim Speed
1 km/h
Clutch Size
7-21

Diet & Feeding

This snake is a carnivore that ambushes and eats a variety of small mammals and birds.

Primary Foods

  • Rats
  • Mice
  • Rabbits
  • Squirrels
  • Quail

Foraging Method

  • Ambush

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Eastern Diamondback

Safety

Danger

5/5 · Extreme

Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake?

The easiest way to identify Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.

How long is Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake?

100-180 cm

How much does Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake weigh?

2-5 kg

How long does Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake live?

10-20 years

How fast can Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake move?

5 km/h

What does Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake eat?

This snake is a carnivore that ambushes and eats a variety of small mammals and birds.

How fast can Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake swim?

1 km/h

Where is Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake usually found?

Dry, sandy areas and forests.

Snap Map

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