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Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Western diamondback rattlesnake is a species of venomous snake occurring in the United States and Mexico. The species is solitary barring the mating season. It is known to be very aggressive. Currently, there are no recognized subspecies of this species.

Scientific Classification
Quick Information

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Subphylum	Vertebrata
Class	Reptilia
Order	Squamata
Suborder	Serpentes
Family	Viperidae
Subfamily	Crotalinae
Genus	Crotalus
Scientific Name	Crotalus atrox

Other Names	Texas diamond-back, Adobe snake, Arizona diamond rattlesnake, coon tail, desert diamond rattlesnake, desert diamond-back, spitting rattlesnake, fierce rattlesnake, Texan rattlesnake, Texas Rattler
Length	Up to 180 cm (6 ft)
Weight	Up to 6.7 kg (15 lb)
Color	Dusty gray, pinkish-brown, yellowish, pinkish, brick red, or chalky white ground color with dark gray-brown to brown rectangular or hexagonal to diamond shaped blotches on the outer surface; tail comprises of two to eight black bands with ash white or pale gray interspaces
Distribution	Southeastern and Central California, central and western Arkansas, Oklahoma, southern Nevada, southwestern Idaho (United States); parts of Mexico
Habitat	Flat coastal plains, steep rocky canyons and hillsides, desert, sandy creosote areas, desert scrub, mesquite grassland, pine-oak forests
Diet	Small mammals and birds, sometimes other reptiles and amphibians
Hibernation Fact	Hibernate during winter
Predators	Hawks, eagles, wild hogs, roadrunners, other snakes
Venom Fact	Venomous
Breeding Season	Fall
Mode of Reproduction	Viviparous (giving birth to live young)
Litter Size	10 to 20
Gestation Period	6 to 7 months
Reproductive Age	3 years of age
Average Lifespan	Around 25 years in captivity
IUCN Conservation Status	Least Concern