Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Fearsome
or not? Most wildlife species generally hide in the presence of
a human or animal larger than themselves. The western
diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is an exception to
this. Instead of hiding, the diamondback will stand its ground,
rattling fearsomely. It is not rattling to protect itself, but
to warn intruders of its presence. The diamondback has all the
reasons to stand its ground too. Being near the top of the food
chain is one, but having one of the most deadly bites in the
world gives the snake all the reason to act fearsome.
The western diamondback, despite its very obvious rattle on the
tip of its tail, ranges in colors from brown to gray to pinkish,
depending on the shade of its habitat. Its spade shaped head is
distinguished by two dark stripes, one on each side of its face,
which run diagonally, like Zorro’s mask, from its eyes to its
jaws. The tail is circled by several alternating black and white
bands, like the pattern of a raccoon’s tail. These
characteristics are very distinct in young snakes, but fade in
older snakes.
Living in various habitats ranging from desert flats to river
bottoms, the western diamondback spans across most of the
southwest part of the United States, including most of Oklahoma.
The diamondback takes up residence anywhere small mammals such
as prairie dogs, rabbits, gophers, ground squirrels, mice and
rats can be found.
Hunting primarily at night, using its heat sensing facial pits
to sense the warm bodies of its prey, the diamondback will
ambush victims along their trails. It also attacks them in their
burrows, sometimes striking and swallowing an animal which
weighs more than the snake itself. After feeding, the snake can
go several weeks before feeding again.
Diamondback young do not hatch from eggs, but are born live in
late summer. The young are born complete with fangs and venom,
armed and dangerous at birth, a good thing since the mother
abandons them upon delivery.
In the fall, the diamondback heads to a community den, generally
a cave or rocky recess where they will hibernate for the winter.
In colder areas they can be found by the hundreds denning
together.
Although the diamondback may seem fearless, it’s not invincible.
It can fall prey to many species. Eagles, hawks, roadrunners,
and other snakes may occasionally prey upon a diamondback.
One of the diamondback’s main threats is a similar threat to
many species, loss of habitat. Even though its habitat range is
vast and it preys upon almost any small mammal, the diamondback
is still vulnerable to habitat loss.
Conserving the western diamondback may not be popular among
those who fear snakes, but it does serve a vital role in the
ecosystem. The western diamondback preys primarily upon small
rodents, and it plays a key role in keeping rodent populations
down. It is estimated that a rattlesnake eats an average of 21
rodents a year, and if an area was to contain 100 rattlesnakes
that would account 2,100 rodents falling prey to a rattlesnake.
The western diamondback rattlesnake, may not be your favorite
species to see in the wild, but this doesn’t mean we can just
ignore its significance to the ecosystem. As long as we keep our
distance, we may just have the opportunity to sit back and watch
one of nature’s most feared creatures.