The DiamondBack Rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes are species of poisonous snakes generally called "pit vipers". The Western Diamondback can exceed seven feet in length, and is the king of our twenty odd species of Southwestern desert rattlers. The DiamondBack Rattlesnake is a pit viper, that means that i can sense warm blooded animal from a very long distance. The colour of this fascinating snake ranges from brown to gray to pinkish, depending on the shade of its habitat. Its back is lined with dark diamond-shaped blotches outlined by lighter-colored scales. The spade-shaped head is distinguished by two dark stripes, one on each side of its face, which run diagonally, like Zorro’s mask. The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake ranges from central and western Texas, through southern New Mexico and Arizona, and into southern California. It also extends into central Mexico. This species is not found in Washington state. The snake occupies diverse habitats from sea level to 7,000 feet, ranging from desert flats to rocky hillsides, grassy plains, forested areas, river bottoms and coastal prairies.
