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| Scientific name: |
Common Name: |
| Crotalus atrox |
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake |
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Physical Characteristics |
Length, 30-84 in. (76-213 cm). Grey, brown, pink, or yellowish above, with light brown to blackish, light edged, diamond-shaped or hexagonal blotches on the back, and fainter smaller blotches on the sides. Often identified by the evenly spaced black and white tail rings. |
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Geographic Range (USA, México) |
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| Southeastern California to Arkansas, southward to northern Sinaloa and San Luis Potosi. Found from sea level to around 7000 ft. (2130 m). |
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| Habitat |
| Arid and semiarid regions including desert, grassland, shrubland, woodland, and pine forest. Found on sandy flats, rocky cliffs, canyons, and river bottoms. |
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| Diet |
| Mammals (mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits), lizards, and birds. |
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| Venom |
| Hemorrhagins are the predominant toxins, resulting in extensive tissue damage, edema and hemorrhage. |
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| Remarks |
| Responsible for the greatest number of serious snakebite cases in the United States. Due to its size, aggressive nature, and the large amount of venom it can deliver in a bite, this snake is considered very dangerous. |
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