The Western diamondback rattlesnake (or Crotalus atrox) is a species of venomous snake native to the deserts, grassland and scrubland of the USA and Mexico; so named for the pattern of grey and brown scales on its back. It reaches an average length of 1.2m – although a specimen of 2.1m in length has been reported – and males are larger than females. It is a dangerous species that will strike if it perceives threat.
Latin Name
Crotalus atrox
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Animal Facts
The Western diamondback rattlesnake is responsible for the most snakebite fatalities in Mexico and the USA.
The rattle at the end of the Western diamondback rattlesnake's tail is used to create warning signals when it is threatened.
The Western diamondback rattlesnake has a heat-sensing pit behind each nostril that allows it to perceive very slight differences in temperature in the environment; this makes it a formidable hunter.
Western diamondback rattlesnakes eat only every 2 to 3 weeks in the wild.
The presence of the Western diamondback rattlesnake is beneficial to humans because they keep rodent levels low.