# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Dry, sandy areas and forests. - **Also known as:** Eastern Diamondback ![Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426944/objects/5606.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Viperidae - **Genus:** Crotalus ## 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 - **Sound Alarm:** Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake has a keratin rattle on its tail that helps them warn off predators. - **Precision Strike:** Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake can deliver potent venom through hinged fangs that helps them overpower prey quickly. - **Heat Vision:** Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake has special heat-sensing pits that help them locate warm-blooded prey in darkness. - **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 - **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 - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Large birds of prey can hunt young snakes. - **Eaten by:** [Eastern Indigo Snake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-indigo-snake) (*Drymarchon couperi*) — This non-venomous snake is a known predator. - **Hunts:** [Hispid Cotton Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/hispid-cotton-rat) (*Sigmodon hispidus*) — A common and important food source for the snake. - **Hunts:** [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) — Juvenile rabbits are frequently prey for adults. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## 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? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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. ## Where to spot - [ZooAmerica](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zooamerica) — Pennsylvania, US · Zoo - [Metcalfe Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/metcalfe-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [SeaWorld Orlando](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-orlando) — Florida, US · Zoo - [SeaWorld Orlando](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/seaworld-orlando-florida) — Florida, US · Aquarium - [St. Catherines Island](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-catherines-island) — Georgia, US · Natural Landmark [View all places to see Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-diamondback-rattlesnake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-diamondback-rattlesnake)