The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is a venomous pit viper species endemic to the southeastern United States. Known for its imposing size and potent venom, it plays a crucial role in its ecosystem as a predator. While often feared, these snakes are typically shy and prefer to avoid human contact.
Physical Characteristics and Identification
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes have brownish, brownish-yellow, brownish-gray, or olive ground color, overlaid with a series of 24-35 dark brown to black diamonds with slightly lighter centers. Each of these diamond-shaped blotches is outlined with a row of cream or yellowish scales. Posteriorly, the diamond shapes become more like crossbands and are followed by 5-10 bands around the tail. The belly is yellowish or cream-colored, with diffused, dark mottling along the sides. The scales along the snake’s body are keeled with textured ridges, and near the tail there are dark bands instead of diamonds. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are lighter in color than the western diamondback rattlesnake, although the two species have a similar appearance. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake has a very large head with a thin neck. Behind each eye is a dark stripe with white or yellow borders that runs backwards to the snake’s mouth.
Adults average 3 to 6 feet in length, but can reach up to 8 feet, making them the largest rattlesnake species and one of the heaviest venomous snakes in the Americas. The rattle, a defining feature, is located at the end of the short, stout tail. This rattle is composed of hollow, interlocking segments made of keratin that click against each other when the tail vibrates, producing a buzzing sound. A new segment is added each time a rattlesnake sheds, but they can shed at different rates. Because of this, and the fact that segments can break off, you really can't tell a snake's age by counting the segments. A rattlesnake can move its rattle back and forth 60 or more times per second. But the amazing thing is a snake chooses when to rattle. Most of the time they stay silent and still, clearly trying to hide from the sun, from predators, or even from humans.
Habitat and Distribution
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are found in the southeastern United States from southeastern North Carolina, south along the coastal plain through peninsular Florida to the Florida Keys, and west along the Gulf Coast through southern Alabama and Mississippi to southeastern Louisiana. They once lived in eastern Louisiana as well. However, the last eastern diamondback rattlesnake seen in the state was in 1995, so many experts believe that this snake is extirpated (locally extinct) in Louisiana. In North Carolina eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are endangered and are protected by state laws.
This species inhabits a variety of habitats, including upland dry pine forests, pine and palmetto flatwoods, sandhills and coastal maritime hammocks, longleaf pine/turkey oak habitats, grass-sedge marshes, swamp forests, cypress swamps, mesic hammocks, sandy mixed woodlands, xeric hammocks, and salt marshes, as well as wet prairies during dry periods. They are very adaptable and can live in several different habitats. However, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes appear to be particularly fond of swamp forests, mesic and xeric hammocks (evergreen forests with sandy, well-drained soils), and wet prairies during dry seasons.
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They are terrestrial and not adept at climbing. However, they may on occasion be seen in bushes and trees, apparently in search of prey. Even large specimens have been spotted as high as 10 m (33 ft) above the ground. Eastern diamondbacks are also excellent swimmers and have often been spotted crossing stretches of water, sometimes miles from land.
During cold winter months in some areas of their range, Eastern diamondbacks hibernate usually in mammal burrows, hollow logs, or among tree roots. They will often attack small mammals as they venture nearby or by entering their burrows. Come fall, rattlesnakes migrate to what is called a winter hibernacula. Typically these areas are small caves, abandoned burrows, or rock crevices. Multiple individuals will hibernated together during the winter in a single den area.
Hunting Strategies
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are carnivores. Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes have two methods of hunting. At times, they can actively pursue and attack their prey head on. However, more commonly they take on the role of an ambush predator, using their heat-sensing pit organs to detect prey. The snake will find a good hiding place and curl its body into a tight coil, ready to pounce at a moment’s notice when its prey walks by. When it attacks, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake bites its prey with large hollow fangs full of toxic venom. Rather than risk breaking its fangs during a struggle with its prey, the snake quickly releases the animal after biting.
As pit vipers, they possess heat-sensing pit organs located between their eyes and nostrils. These pits allow them to detect minute temperature differences, enabling them to locate warm-blooded prey even in complete darkness. This adaptation is particularly useful as they are crepuscular, or most active in the evenings and early mornings.
The snake will find a good hiding place and curl its body into a tight coil, ready to pounce at a moment’s notice when its prey walks by. When it attacks, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake bites its prey with large hollow fangs full of toxic venom. Rather than risk breaking its fangs during a struggle with its prey, the snake quickly releases the animal after biting. Although broken and shed fangs do grow back, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes do not like taking the risk. The prey animal may attempt to run away, but the venom will take hold quickly, causing paralysis and death. The snake will then use its excellent sense of smell to track down the animal and swallow it whole.
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Diet
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is a carnivore that mainly feeds on birds and small mammals. As one of the largest rattlesnakes, this snake can eat large prey like adult cottontail rabbits and even young turkeys. One eastern diamondback rattlesnake was even reported to have eaten a woodpecker as well as her nest full of eggs. Young eat rats and mice, while adults prefer larger prey, such as rabbits and squirrels.
Venom and its Effects
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. The estimated human lethal dose is 100-150 mg. The venom contains a thrombin-like enzyme, "crotalase", capable of clotting fibrinogen, leading to the secondary activation of plasminogen from endothelial cells. Although the venom does not activate platelets, the production of fibrin strands can result in a reduced platelet count, as well as the hemolysis of red blood cells (see article on MAHA). Even with this defibrination, however, clinically significant bleeding is uncommon. Nevertheless, the venom does exhibit high hemorrhagic activity. It also contains a low-molecular-weight basic peptide that impedes neuromuscular transmission and can in theory lead to cardiac failure. This peptide is similar to crotamine from C. durrisus terrificus. In general, the venom can be described as highly necrotizing, mildly proteolytic, and containing a large phosphodiesterase fraction. It can result in severe pain, as well as profound, transient hypotension. CroFab, ANAVIP, and Wyeth's ACP are effective antivenins against bites from this species, although massive doses may be needed to manage severe cases of envenomation. Generally, ACP is very effective at countering the defibrination syndrome that is often seen but may do little for low platelet counts.
Behavior
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are solitary and frequently shelter by tunneling in gopher and tortoise burrows, emerging in the early morning or afternoon to bask. Like other cold-blooded snakes, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake uses the sun to help regulate its body temperature and can often be seen basking in the sunlight. When temperatures are cooler this snake will keep warm in tortoise burrows, tree crevices, armadillo holes, hollow logs, and under tree roots.
When threatened, these snakes will raise the anterior half of the body off the ground in an S-shaped coil and can strike as far as two-thirds of their body length. When encountered, the diamondback will often remain motionless until a threat is perceived or the snake is actually touched. A defensive posture is a coiled position with rattle erect, buzzing, and head near center of the coil. The act of striking can extend up to two-thirds the length of the snake. For example, a 6 foot snake could strike up to a distance of 4 feet. It tends to release a lot of venom with each bite, making it a very deadly snake. After striking, the diamondback releases its prey, letting it crawl away to die.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are polygynandrous (promiscuous) which means that both males and females mate with multiple partners. They breed in the late summer and fall. During the mating season, however, males compete for breeding females by asserting their dominance. These snakes mate in the late summer and fall, giving birth six to seven months later.
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Rattlesnakes mate every few years and are ovoviviparous, which means that they carry their eggs inside their bodies and later give birth to live young. Females give birth to between 7 and 21 young, usually between July and early October. The gestation period lasts around 6-7 months. Female rattlesnakes give birth to anywhere between 8-29 babies in the late summer or early fall. Neonates are 12-14 in (30-36 cm) in length and are similar in appearance to the adults, except for having only a small button instead of a rattle on the tip of their tails. A newborn's tail ends in a smooth "button," which will become the site of a future rattle. The female usually stays with her young and protects them until their first shed cycle which occurs 10-20 days after birth. Very few reptiles exhibit parental care with their young, but it has been documented that female rattlesnakes stay with their young for about a week, or until the babies shed for the first time. After that snakelets will disperse on their own to hunt and find cover.
Baby eastern diamondback rattlesnakes mostly eat mice and rats, and sometimes smaller ground-dwelling birds. Since eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are so large and bulky, they typically do not have to worry about predators. Baby eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, on the other hand, are small and vulnerable to hungry predators. Rattlesnakes are eaten by eagles, hawks, roadrunners, kingsnakes, coyotes, bobcats, and foxes. Additionally, when deer, antelope, cows, and horses are startled by a snake they may try to trample it.
Diamondbacks range in size from 3 to 5 feet long with a few reaching 7 feet long and can live approximately 15-20 years in captivity.
Conservation Status and Threats
According to IUCN, the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. However, their populations face several threats, primarily habitat loss through the development of plantations, agriculture, and expansion of urban and suburban centers. This specifically targets the practice of “gassing” gopher tortoise burrows to flush out and capture eastern diamondback rattlesnakes that has been a common practice used by some snake hunters. Scientific studies have shown that the introduction of gas into a gopher tortoise burrow results in death of the wildlife in many cases, sometimes two to three months later.
The biggest threat to the eastern diamondback rattlesnake is humans, both accidental and intentional. These snakes are prone to basking in the sun near roads, putting them in danger of vehicles. In addition, humans often have misconceptions about eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, and in fear will attempt to kill any snake on sight. Unfortunately, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are often actively persecuted by humans, even though this is illegal in many areas.
Relationship with Humans
Although dangerous and intimidating, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are typically shy and live quiet lives far from humans. These snakes are not typically aggressive and will commonly rattle a loud warning to humans who get near them. When given the opportunity, an eastern diamondback rattlesnake will choose to slither away from danger whenever possible. However, these snakes can and will defend themselves when necessary. You are more likely to be struck by lightning than to be bitten by an eastern diamondback rattlesnake, although it does happen on rare occasions. Most bites from these snakes, however, occurred because the snake was accidentally stepped on.
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