One of the 26 snakes on WAnimals
Reptiles · Squamata · Viperidae
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary
It is probably responsible for most snakebite deaths in northern Mexico and for a high number of bites in the United States.
Weight
up to 6.7 kg
Size
80 cm – 2.1 m
Lifespan
17 years
Diet
Carnivore
Feeds mainly on other animals.
Activity
Nocturnal
Active mainly at night.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Fun facts
- It is probably responsible for most snakebite deaths in northern Mexico.
- It locates its prey through heat-sensing pits.
- Its litters often have several genetic fathers.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
- Habitat & environment
- Desert, arid scrub and rocky grassland of the south-western United States and northern Mexico
- Birth weight
- Born live (ovoviviparous), fully developed and venomous from birth
- Size at birth
- Born fully formed and functional, able to bite from the first moment
- Sexual maturity
- 3 years
- Gestation / incubation
- ~165 days (approximately 6-7 months)
- Litter / clutch size
- 4 to 25 young per litter (most commonly 10-20)
- Lifespan in captivity
- Documented record of more than 20 years in captivity
Sources consulted: A-Z Animals; Animal Diversity Web; Biology Insights; Animalia.bio; PMC (mating systems and paternity study); U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Where to watch it
Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
Mohave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
Cottonmouth
Agkistrodon piscivorus
Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
Cascabel Rattlesnake
Crotalus durissus
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus
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Based on what we already know about western diamond-backed rattlesnake.
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