Identifying the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake - Snake Profile

Identifying an eastern diamondback rattlesnake is rather easy for a snake lover, but for an average person it is a bit tougher. Sharing territory with this species of rattlesnake demands that you learn the basics at a minimum. This rattlesnake is armed with a venom that is fully capable of killing, after all. Knowing the basics could save your life someday.

What about that rattle?

An alarming number of people depend on that rattle to determine whether a snake is venomous or not. Not only is this not true for venomous snakes in general, it is not even true for rattlesnakes every time.

Rattlesnake lose those rattles all the time. They lose them in fights and injuries and any number of other accidents in the wild. If you are counting on seeing and hearing that rattle to stay safe from rattlesnakes, you might be in trouble.

Yes, eastern diamondbacks usually have and use a big rattle on the end of their tails to warn off potential dangers. Add that to the list of identifying characteristics, but do not let it be the only one. Also, rattlers do not always rattle when you are near. Eastern diamondbacks in particular are sometimes not apt to rattle.

Pit Viper Baby!

The eastern diamondbacks, like all rattlesnakes, are pit vipers. This means that they are venomous and have heat sensing pits that are located just between the eyes and nostrils. These pits allow them to hunt in the dark and track prey after it is bitten. It also helps protect them from large predators.

Pit vipers are also known for certain characteristics and the eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the perfect example. The eastern diamondback has a diamond shaped head with huge venom glands tucked away. This venom is delivered by two large hypodermic-like fangs that fold back into the snake's mouth when not being used. It also has vertical pupils.

Coloration and Design

The eastern diamondback is one of the most beautiful snakes on the planet. They have a diamondback pattern that runs down their backs. They can be multi-colored but black is often a dominant color. Albino eastern diamondbacks do sometimes occur and the young eastern diamondbacks are usually similar to the adults in pattern and color. The eastern is also known for having a "raccoon-like" striping around the eyes and back towards the mouth.

Size

The eastern diamondback is the largest venomous snake in North America at nearly 8 feet in length. It also gets very fat and thick in the middle portions of it's body. This size is no bluff. The eastern diamondback has the venom to kill a healthy man with no problem. While the venom of the eastern is possibly less toxic than the western diamondback or mojave, the bite is still just as dangerous because of the copious amount of venom they usually inject.