Snakes

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus adamanteus

Across the regions where it's common, the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake peaks from August to March.

Shows up in 1 ecoregion and 4 states · venomous

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Snakes

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

Crotalus adamanteus

venomous

Venomous. Do not handle. Give it room and let it move on. If you're bitten, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Don't cut, suck or ice the bite.

Look, don't take. Many states regulate collecting reptiles and amphibians. Photograph it, log it on iNaturalist and leave it where you found it.

Description

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest rattlesnake species and is one of the heaviest known species of venomous snake, with one specimen shot in 1946 measuring 2.4 m (7.8 ft) in length and weighing 15.4 kg (34 lb).Wikipedia ↗

Habitat

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is 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. The species is endemic to the Southeastern United States.Wikipedia ↗

When it's active

Eastern diamondbacks mate from early August through September in the northern part of their range, and from early October through December in the southernmost part of their range (mainly southern Florida). Males will travel long distances in search of mates during the breeding season, tracking the females by their pheromone trails.Animal Diversity Web ↗

Venom

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake has the reputation of being the most dangerous venomous snake in North America. Brown gives an average venom yield of 410 mg (dried venom), along with LD50 values of 1.3–2.4 mg/kg IV, 1.7–3.0 mg/kg IP and 10-14.5 mg/kg SC for toxicity.Wikipedia ↗

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake — Scott Allen Davis · CC BY 4.0

iNaturalist ↗

Harmless look-alikes

Gopher Snake, Pine Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Plains Hognose Snake, Mexican Hognose Snake, Prairie Kingsnake, Desert Nightsnake, Chihuahuan NightsnakeSuperficially, gopher snakes resemble many species of rattlesnakes and are often mistaken for them. Animal Diversity Web ↗Non-human predators are likely to be discouraged from attacking gopher snakes when they are mimicing rattlesnakes. Animal Diversity Web ↗Rattlesnakes vs. gopher snakes, bullsnakes and hognose snakes →

When and where it's active

Each row is its own calendar, counted from records in that area. Seasons shift by place.

PeakShoulderQuiet

Ecoregions

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

South Florida

States

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Alabama Florida Georgia Mississippi

About the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

When is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake most active?

Across the regions where it's common, the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake peaks from August to March.

Where does the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake live?

It has enough records to show in 1 ecoregions and 4 states, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Is the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake venomous?

Yes. The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is venomous. Don't handle it, and give it room.

What snakes get mistaken for the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake?

Harmless lookalikes include the Gopher Snake, Pine Snake, and Eastern Hognose Snake.