Fun Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Facts For Kids

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus as it is known scientifically, is the largest rattlesnake in the world. These rattlesnakes are a species of pit vipers in the family of Viperidae.

These eastern diamondbacks are endemic to the south-eastern United States and are carnivores. The eastern diamondbacks are highly venomous and could be fatal to humans.

These diamondbacks are capable of a strike at up to one-third of their body length. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest heaviest venomous snake in North America.

These snakes are averse to human contact and tend to attack only in defense but are highly aggressive. The average lifespan of these snakes ranges from 10-20 years.

These rattlesnakes are not considered social creatures and do not inhabit the same hole except when they are young. These snakes hibernate in winter months within their range from northern Florida to southern North Carolina and unlike other rattlesnake species, these eastern diamondbacks hibernate singly and not in groups.

One of the major threats to the eastern diamondback snakes is that they are caught or killed sometimes, and sold for skin and antivenom purposes. Some of the common snakeskin products include boots, bags, wallets, and bags.

They are rarely but sometimes consumed but possess a high risk of salmonella. While these eastern diamondback rattlesnakes come across as a gripping species they are equally dangerous too.

Read on for fun facts about the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and if you're interested, check out kingsnake facts and copperhead snake facts.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Interesting Facts

What type of animal is an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake?

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake belongs to the category of snakes.

What class of animal does an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake belong to?

Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes belong to the reptile class of animals.

How many Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are there in the world?

While there is no exact number reported, it has been recorded that the current population is declining due to loss of habitat and indiscriminate killing and the current population represents only three percent of the old or the historic population.

Where does an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake live?

The eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are endemic to the southeastern United States and are found in pinelands of Florida, coastal plains of North Carolina, and southern Mississipi through eastern Louisiana.

What is an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake's habitat?

These heavy-bodied rattlesnakes or pit vipers as they are known are usually found or live in temperate regions like dry, pine flatwoods, coastal scrub habitat, and sandy woodlands. These diamondbacks live in open abandoned fields, brush-filled grassy areas. They were once in high concentration in longleaf pine savannas in the past.

Who do Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes live with?

These rattlesnakes mostly live alone in the hollows and bush left behind by other mammals like gopher tortoise burrows and are known to be solo hunters, they do not hunt or prey in pairs or travel in groups.

How long does an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake live?

The average lifespan of the eastern diamondbacks ranges from 10-20 years depending on the size of the animal.

How do they reproduce?

Male eastern diamondbacks achieve reproductive maturity around 2.5-3.5 years of age while the female reaches reproductive maturity around 2-4 years of age. The diamondbacks reproduce sexually. Males and females copulate for hours at a time, this happens by males laying on top of females.

The breeding takes place in early August through September in the northern part and October through December in the southernmost part. The males travel large distances to breed and find females by the hormone they release known as pheromones.

The females give birth six to seven months later usually between July and October. The eggs remain inside the female body until it hatches. They give birth to around 7-21 baby snakes at a time.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the diamondback rattlesnakes is stated as Least Concern and thus, receives no federal protection but the species is protected in North Carolina. The major threat to these snakes is habitat destruction and killing.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Fun Facts

What do Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes look like?

The eastern diamondback could be blackish-gray, muddy gray, or olive green in color but their tail could be a different color or shade than the body which could range from brown to gray with rings in a banded pattern.

A diamond pattern with a yellow outline runs across the back and the light reflected from its scales makes the skin look dull and not shiny.

How cute are they?

These snakes are considered fascinating due to their diamond-pattern backs but rather scary.

How do they communicate?

The rattlesnakes are known to use the vibrations of their tail to warn the predator. These snakes have loreal pits in between their eyes and nostrils and these pits allow them to predict small changes in the environment and heat and also to detect prey.

How big is an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake?

The size of an eastern diamondback rattlesnake is relative to a six ft man. It can weigh up to 10 lb (4.5 kg) and its length ranges from 48-96 in (1200-2400 mm).

How fast can an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake move?

The rattlesnakes tend to move slowly with a speed of two to three miles per hour. It is believed that humans generally run faster and can outrun the snake easily.

How much does an Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake weigh?

The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is known to be large and thus, is the largest snake in the world with a weight ranging from 5-10 lb (2.5-4.3 kg).

What are their male and female names of the species?

There exist no specific names for the male and female of the species.

What would you call a baby Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake?

In general, the babies of a rattlesnake are known as neonates.

What do they eat?

These rattlesnakes feed on small mammals and birds. The young rattlesnakes tend to prey on animals like rats and mice whereas the adults prey on rabbits and squirrels. They wait for long periods to hunt and hide beside logs and fallen tree roots as well as bushes and can also sense infrared heat or waves produced by warm-blooded animals.

Are they poisonous?

These rattlesnakes are known for their venomous and painful bites as the venom contains a toxin named hemotoxin which kills the red blood cells and causes tissue damage which can prove to be life-threatening to humans.

Would they make a good pet?

Due to their venom and its harmful effects which could prove to be dangerous or life-threatening, these heavy-bodied rattlesnakes are hazardous and should not be domesticated.

Did you know...

Although these snakes seem scary, there are a few fun facts about these snakes to learn about.

While the most defining trait is the tail at the end which is used to warn off predators, one other feature of this snake is that its eyes have a vertical pupil. This snake also tends to possess bilateral symmetry.

The side of the snake's head is patterned with two white oblique stripes and they may also have ringed tails with white and black bands. The light reflected by the kneeled scales makes the skin look dull than shiny. Also, the males are generally larger than the females.

Eastern vs. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

While there is not a lot of difference in the eastern and western diamondback rattlesnakes, there exist a few distinctions. While both are known to have a dorsal diamond pattern, the pattern is lighter on the western diamondback than the eastern.

The western ones are founded in flat and arid regions of the southwest United States and the mountainous rocky environment and are known to envenomate more people than any other rattlesnake in the United States.

What is the largest Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake on record?

The largest of these on record weighed 34 lb (15 kg) and was 93 in (2362 mm) long.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles including worm snake, or king cobra.

You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our eastern diamondback rattlesnake coloring pages.