The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is a species of Rattlesnake native to the South-Western United States. Like all rattlesnakes, they have a rattle on the end of their tail.
They are a large species of rattlesnake, reaching lengths of up to 5 feet. While they are one of the larger species, they typically don’t grow as large as their close relative, the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.
These snakes are believed to be responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities in Northern Mexico and the greatest number of snakebites in the United States.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Taxonomy
The scientific name for the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is Crotalus atrox. The Crotalus genus contains all the species of Rattlesnake.
All the snakes in the Crotalus genus are venomous Pit Vipers that are only found in the Americas, ranging from Southern Canada to Northern Argentina.
The Name Crotalus comes from a Greek word that translates to Rattle, referring to the distinctive Rattle on the end of these snake’s tail.
There are currently around 50 different recognised species of Rattlesnakes. The exact number is constantly changing as sub-species are getting reclassified to full species level and vice versa.
Some of the more common species of Rattlesnake include the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Prairie Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake and the Massasauga Rattlesnake.
There are no recognised sub-species of Western Diamondback Rattlesnake.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Description
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is a medium sized snake that typically grows to a length of around 4ft. Specimens measuring 5ft and even 6ft in length have been encountered but this is extremely rare.
Unlike many other species of snake, the males of this species are larger than the females. This difference in size is typically only noticeable once the snakes reach maturity.
The coloration of the snake can vary greatly but they are typically a greyish brown color. They may also appear pinkish-brown, brick red, yellowish, or even off white. Some of these color variations are very rare and can be subtle.
The background color is overlaid with an average of 36 blotches on their dorsal, although this number can vary greatly. These blotches are darker than the background color and are typically brown.
Each blotch is in the shape of a diamond which gives this snake its common name, the ‘Western Diamondback Rattlesnake’.
The tail of the snake is quite spectacular and consists of a series of black and white bands, just above the rattle. However, this is not unique to this species as other snakes such as the Mojave Rattlesnake have a similar feature.
Distribution and Habitat
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake can be found throughout much of the South-Western United States as well as a large portion of Northern Mexico.
It can be found in parts of Southern California and in the Southern Point of Nevada, South of Las Vegas. Its range extends into Central and South Arizona and New Mexico.
Their range extends as far East as parts of Oklahoma and Arkansas. They can be found as far North as parts of Southern Kansas, around the Wichita area.
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake can also be found throughout a large portion of Texas excluding the northern panhandle and the Eastern regions of the state.
The snake can also be found throughout a large part of Northern Mexico in regions such as Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Sonoro and parts of Sinaloa and Baja California.
They can be found in a wide range of habitats including deserts, sand creosote areas, desert scrubland and even habitats such as grassland and pine forests.
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake can also be found in areas such as flat coastal plains, steep rocky canyons and on the foothills of mountains.
They share some of the same geographical range with species such as the Desert Kingsnake, California Kingsnake, Arizona Mountain Kingsnake and the Prairie Rattlesnake. However, they don’t necessarily share the same habitats with these species.
Behaviour
Like many snakes, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is a solitary species that will spend most of its life in isolation. The exception to this is during the mating season.
They are mainly inactive during the colder winter months as they seek refuge in caves or burrows to brumate until the warmer temperatures return. However, they may still come out during warmer days to bask in the sun.
This species is considered to be one of the more aggressive species of rattlesnake in the sense that it won’t hesitate to strike if it feels threatened. They are known to stand their ground rather than attempt to flee.
However, this snake doesn’t want to attack humans, it is simply trying to defend itself. Their first line of defence is to coil up and rattle their tail in an attempt to scare off a potential threat.
Most bites from a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake are the result of people provoking them or accidently stepping on them. If you leave a rattlesnake alone and keep your distance, there is nothing to fear.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Venom
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake has a venom that can destroy tissue and cause problems to blood vessels, blood cells and the heart. It is one of the most venomous rattlesnakes in America.
The venom primarily consists of hemotoxic properties and has haemorrhagic components which can cause excessive bleeding from the source of the bite.
Some of the more serious effects of a bite can include damage to the cardiovascular system, impaired skeletal muscle regeneration and permanent tissue loss.
Some of the local effects of a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake bite include pain, heavy internal bleeding, severe swelling, severe muscle damage, bruising, blistering and necrosis.
The venom itself is far less toxic than many other species of rattlesnake. However, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake can deliver a large amount of venom in a single bite, which is what makes them so dangerous.
The average venom yield for this species is around 250-350mg. Much larger envenomation of over 700mg is possible, but rare. The mortality rate for an untreated bite is around 10-20%.
