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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by FSB on March 3, 2008
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I'd be delighted to take a stab at this one.... I assume you are referring to Eastern and Western Diamondback rattlesnakes, since there is no such thing as just an "eastern" rattlesnake, though a now outdated usage of the common name "Western Rattlesnake" was once applied to what are now known separately as the Northern and Southern Pacific rattlesnakes (see Stebbins: Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of the Western United States).
Eastern and Western DIAMONDBACK rattlesnakes are closely related and somewhat similar in appearance, so they can be difficult to tell apart if you haven't seen a few. Of course, in the field, location is a key identifying factor since Eastern Diamondbacks occur, obviously, in the east - namely the southeastern U.S. from extreme SE North Carolina down into Florida, and westward along the Gulf States as far as Louisiana, (though not too many have been seen there lately). Western diamondbacks (Crotalus atrox) have a much wider range, from Texas to southern California, and they are at home in a much wider variety of habitats, from rocky scrubland to desert, sometimes occuring at high mountain elevations. The Eastern diamondback (Crotalus adamanteus) is a snake of the lowlands, and its range follows along the coast. They have even been known to traverse salt water to reach barrier islands. Their favored habitat is palmetto scrubland and flat, sandy pine woods with lots of stumps to hide in.
Both Eastern and Western Diamondback rattlesnakes grow to a very large size, though the Eastern is larger, with nine feet being the record. Western Diamondbacks have been known to reach lengths of over 7 feet.
In terms of markings, both are distinguished by a pattern of diamond-shaped (more-or-less) blotches down the back, but the in the Eastern Diamondback (EDB for short) they are much darker and very clear cut, with each diamond being outlined by a single row of white scales, giving the snake a very dramatic appearance. In the field they can closely resemble a pile of pine cones when in a resting coil. The overall color impression is white/black/silver. In contrast, the WDB has a much less distinct pattern, and is almost dusty-looking, with more of a light brownish/tan ground color, sometimes almost yellowish towards the posterior. The most distinguishing characteristic, however, of the WDB is the tail, just before the rattle, which is clearly ringed in black and white, thus giving rise to the popular name "coon-tail rattler." Mojave rattlesnakes also have these rings, but the black rings are usually much narrower than the white ones, while in the WDB the rings are roughly the same width.
Both diamondbacks have two vertical white or light stripes on either side of the face, which pass in front of and behind the eye and stop at the mouth, (the rear white line passes ABOVE the corner of the mouth in such non-diamondback rattlesnakes as Mojaves and Prairies), and again, these facial stripes are much more prominent and clear cut in the EDB. The EDB also has very dark eyes, so much so that they appear entirely black, while the WDB has lighter eyes with the elliptical black pupils clearly visible.
Both are extremely dangerous snakes capable of easily delivering a fatal bite, and both can be wary and irritable, though in my experience Easterns tend to be a bit more on the placid side. Of all the people (keepers) I have known (or known of) personally who have ever been bitten, Crotalus atrox is most frequently the species responsible. They have a deceptively long and fast strike, and they rarely miss their target. Neither one is a snake to mess around with.
I have to add that the Eastern diamondback, Crotalus adamanteus, has long been one of my favorite snakes. Along with the King cobra and perhaps the Bushmaster, they are truly majestic in their bearing.
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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by soberwolf on March 3, 2008
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Katz on this site there is a link for "Rattlesnakes".
It has great pictures and quite a bit of informationon the varieties of Rattlesnakes...
Shelby
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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by MikeB on March 4, 2008
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A very good summary from FSB and yes, I would agree than the WDB is probably the most universally irritable and territorial of all the rattlesnake species, and the most likely to surprise you with its very potent strike. There's a reason they account for more fatal bites most years than any other.
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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by AquaHerp on March 4, 2008
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Actually most of the atrox I've seen (hundreds a year) are not all that irritable at all. I find them to be somewhat complacent and apathetic in general unless truly annoyed.
DH
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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by soberwolf on March 4, 2008
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Ok being from Az. I just gotta pipe in.. The reason for there being so many Atrox bites is the numbers. There are about 10 Atrox to every 1 (all others combined) in the Az. desert.... Most, unless provoked or surprised will turn tail. Now the Black Tail (Crotalus Molossus), I've gotten a lot closer to with out any rattle or warning. They try to be inconspicuous therefor quiet and un-noticed (careful in rocky areas) They also can be seen in the dead of winter here on warmer days. They (Black Tail) don't always observe hibernation in the same way as others here in the desert. Just some cool Az. tid-bits
Shelby
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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by Katz on March 4, 2008
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Thank you all for your wonderfully informative and interesting comments regarding questions I've raised on Western Diamondback rattlesnakes versus Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes. I would just like to say that it's folks like you who foster the importance of respecting and understanding our fellow herps. Ya'll are the Best! Kind regards, Katz
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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by LarryDFishel on March 4, 2008
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I suspect Shelby's comment also applies to captive bites. WDBs have to be one of the most commonly kept species next to copperheads.
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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by soberwolf on March 4, 2008
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Honestly Larry , I was refering to wild. But, I guess the same would hold true for captives also. Again due to numbers of Atrox in captivity as well as in the wild. The number of WDB here as aposed to other species is phenomonal. Shelby
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RE: Rattlesnakes
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by soberwolf on March 4, 2008
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Also keep in mind, most snake bites are not what they call legitimate meaning "most occur on the hand due to handling. Remember "THE SNAKE IS NOT AT FAULT" Rattlesnakes do what they do. No snake 2" off the ground wants anything to do with a 5 or 6' human. Their venom is used to hunt and stop prey.It is an unnatural act for any snake to stalk or hunt people.. They just do want to eat us. My opinion is that its not to natural that any snake unless in defense be overly agressive towards us. I have seen Mohave Sidewinders strike like it was going out of style. I have never seen an EDB in person but have heard that they are probabley the quickest to defend and hold their ground..But I really dont plan to get bit by any of them.. Hope my plan works lol. Shelby
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