Common names: eastern diamondback rattlesnake,^[2] eastern diamondback,^[3] more.  
 
Crotalus adamanteus is a venomous pit viper species found in the southeastern United States. This is the heaviest venomous snake found in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[4] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 708 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2721 × 2304 pixel, file size: 10. ... Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... Typical Classes See below Chordates (phylum Chordata) are a group of animals that includes the vertebrates, together with several closely related invertebrates. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Subclasses Anapsida Diapsida Synonyms Reptilia Laurenti, 1768 Reptiles are tetrapods and amniotes, animals whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane, and members of the class Sauropsida. ... Suborders Lacertilia- Lizards Serpentes - Snakes Amphisbaenia - Worm lizards This article is about the Squamata order of reptiles. ... Families Acrochordidae Aniliidae Anomalepididae Anomochilidae Atractaspididae Boidae Bolyeriidae Colubridae Cylindrophiidae Elapidae Hydrophiidae Leptotyphlopidae Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Typhlopidae Uropeltidae Viperidae Xenopeltidae Snakes are cold blooded legless reptiles closely related to lizards, which share the order Squamata. ... Synonyms Viperae - Laurenti, 1768 Viperini - Oppel, 1811 Viperidae - Gray, 1825[1] The Viperidae are a family of venomous snakes commonly referred to as vipers, although the term viperids is more specific and distinguishes them from the viperines (subfamily Viperinae). ... {{Taxobox[[{| class=wikitable |- ]]</nowiki>]] --> </gallery> |} |}]]| [[Image:[[Media:Failed to parse (unknown error): == <nowiki>#REDIRECT [[<sup><small>[ == == == [[Image:[[Image:[[Media:[[Media:#REDIRECT [[#REDIRECT [[#REDIRECT [[ ---- ---- <math><math><math>[[Media:[[Media: == == == == == == [[[[[[color = pink]]]]]] == == == == == ==]]]] </math></math>]]]]]]]]]]]]]] == == ==]]]</nowiki> ==</math>]]]] | name = Crotalinae | image = TimberRattler. ... Synonyms Crotalus - Linnaeus, 1758 Crotalophorus - Houttuyn, 1764 Caudisona - Laurenti, 1768 Crotalinus - Rafinesque, 1815 Crotalurus - Rafinesque, 1820 Crotulurus - Rafinesque, 1820 Uropsophus - Wagler, 1830 Urocrotalon - Fitzinger, 1843 Aploaspis - Cope, 1867 Aechmophrys - Coues In Wheeler, 1875 Haploaspis - Cope, 1883 Paracrotalus - Reuss, 1930[1] Common names: rattlesnakes. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Ambroise Marie François Joseph Palisot, baron de Beauvois. ... 1799 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... In scientific nomenclature, synonyms are different scientific names used for a single taxon. ... A venomous snake is a snake that uses modified saliva, venom, delivered through fangs in its mouth, to immobilize or kill its prey. ... {{Taxobox[[{| class=wikitable |- ]]</nowiki>]] --> </gallery> |} |}]]| [[Image:[[Media:Failed to parse (unknown error): == <nowiki>#REDIRECT [[<sup><small>[ == == == [[Image:[[Image:[[Media:[[Media:#REDIRECT [[#REDIRECT [[#REDIRECT [[ ---- ---- <math><math><math>[[Media:[[Media: == == == == == == [[[[[[color = pink]]]]]] == == == == == ==]]]] </math></math>]]]]]]]]]]]]]] == == ==]]]</nowiki> ==</math>]]]] | name = Crotalinae | image = TimberRattler. ... In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biodiversity. ... World map showing the Americas CIA political map of the Americas The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World consisting of the continents of North America[1], Central America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ...

Description

C. adamanteus.

The largest rattlesnake species, the maximum sizes reported are 8 feet (244.0 cm) (Klauber, 1972) and 251.5 cm (Ditmars, 1936). One captive specimen weighed over 26 pounds (12 kg). However, the stated maximum size has been called into question due to a lack of voucher specimens (Jones, 1997).^[5] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 456 pixelsFull resolution (2679 × 1526 pixel, file size: 7. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 456 pixelsFull resolution (2679 × 1526 pixel, file size: 7. ...

Specimens over 7 feet (213 cm) are rare, but well documented. Klauber (1997) includes a letter he received from E. Ross Allen in 1953, in which Allen explains how for years he offered a reward of $100, and later $200, for an 8-foot (243.8 cm) specimen, dead or alive. The reward was never claimed. He did receive a number of 7-foot specimens and some 8-foot skins, but said that such skins can be taken from a 6-foot (182 cm) snake.^[2]

The average size is much less: lengths of 3.5-5.5 feet (106-167 cm),^[6] 84-183 cm are given.^[7] One study found an average length of 170 cm based on 31 males and 43 females.^[8]

The color pattern consists of a brownish, brownish yellow, brownish gray or olive ground color, overlaid with a series of 24-35 dark brown to black diamonds with slightly lighter centres. Each of these diamond-shaped blotches id outlined with a row of cream or yellowish scales. Posteriorly the diamond shapes become more like cross-bands and are followed by 5-10 bands around the tail. The belly is a yellowish or cream color with diffused dark mottling along the sides. The head has a dark postocular stripe that extends from behind the eye backwards and downwards to the lip; the back of the stripe touches the angle of the mouth. Anteriorly and posteriorly, the postocular stripe is bordered by distinct white or yellow stripes.^[5]

Common names

Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, eastern diamond-backed rattlesnake,^[4] eastern diamondback,^[3] diamond rattlesnake, diamond-back rattlesnake, common rattlesnake, diamond-back, diamond(-patch) rattler, eastern diamond-back (rattlesnake), eastern diamond rattlesnake, Florida diamond-back (rattlesnake), Florida rattlesnake, lozenge-spotted rattlesnake, rattler, rattlesnake, southeastern diamond-backed rattlesnake, southeastern diamond-backed rattler, southern woodland rattler, timber rattlesnake, water rattle, water rattlesnake,^[8] diamondback rattlesnake.^[2]

Geographic range

Found in the southeastern United States from southeastern North Carolina, south along the coastal plain through peninsular Florida to the Florida Keys, and west along the Gulf Coast though southern Mississippi to southeastern Louisiana. The original description for the species does not include a type locality, although Schmidt (1953) proposed that it be restricted to "Charleston, South Carolina" (USA).^[1] Official language(s) English Capital Raleigh Largest city Charlotte Area  Ranked 28th  - Total 53,865 sq mi (139,509 km²)  - Width 150 miles (240 km)  - Length 560[1] miles (901 km)  - % water 9. ... Official language(s) English Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Largest metro area Miami Area  Ranked 22nd  - Total 65,795[1] sq mi (170,304[1] km²)  - Width 361 miles (582 km)  - Length 447 miles (721 km)  - % water 17. ... Palm trees in Islamorada The Florida Keys is an archipelago of about 1700 islands in the southeast United States. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Official language(s) de jure: none de facto: English & French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans [1] Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33°N  - Longitude 89°W... In biology the term type locality is used to refer to the location at which a type specimen was collected. ... Nickname: Motto: Aedes Mores Juraque Curat (She cares for her temples, customs, and rights) Location of Charleston in South Carolina. ...

Conservation status

While being evaluated as a species of Least Concern, this species has been declining for years due to habitat destruction, hunting and persecution. It has been suggested that, because of the decline of these snakes, the rabbit population in Florida is on the rise.

Habitat

Inhabits upland dry pine forest, pine and palmetto flatwoods, sandhills and coastal maritime hammocks, long-leaf pine/turkey-oak habitats, grass-sedge marshes and swamp forest, mesic hammocks, sandy mixed woodlands, xeric hammocks, salt marshes, as well as wet prairies during dry periods. In many areas it seems to use burrows made by gophers and gopher tortoises during the summer and winter.^[5]

Behavior

C. adamanteus, found at East Cape in Everglades National Park, Florida.

These snakes frequently shelter in mammal and gopher tortoise burrows, emerging in the early morning or afternoon to bask.^[9] Image File history File links Easterndiamondback. ... Image File history File links Easterndiamondback. ...

Like most rattlesnakes, this species is terrestrial and not adept at climbing. However, they have on occasion been reported in bushes and trees, apparently in search of prey. Even large specimens have been spotted as much as 10 m above the ground.^[2]

A better known fact is that they are excellent swimmers. Specimens have often been spotted crossing stretches of water between barrier islands and the mainland off the Georgia coast, in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Florida Keys, sometimes miles from land.^[2] In geography, a bar is a linear shoaling landform feature within a body of water. ... Gulf of Mexico in 3D perspective. ... Palm trees in Islamorada The Florida Keys is an archipelago of about 1700 islands in the southeast United States. ...

Individual disposition varies, with some allowing close approach while remaining silent, and others starting to rattle at a distance of 6-9 m.^[7] The rattle is well-developed and can be heard from relatively far away. When threatened they raise the anterior half of the body off the ground in an S-shaped coil and strike to a distance of at least a third of their body length.^[10] Many will stand their ground and may strike repeatedly, but if given the opportunity they will usually retreat while facing the intruder and moving backwards towards shelter, after which they disappear.^[2][9][10]

It is suspected that some rattlesnakes (and C. adamanteus in particular) that generally live around populated areas do not rattle as often because it leads to the snake’s discovery and consequent destruction. However, there is little available evidence of this hypothesis.

Hawks, eagles, and other snakes have been known to prey upon young and adolescent specimens.

Feeding

These snakes forage actively or lie in ambush for small mammals, especially rabbits and rice rats (Oryzomys). Their diet also includes birds. Prey is struck and released, after which they follow the scent trail left by the dying prey.^[9] [[{{{diversity_link}}}|Diversity]] {{{diversity}}} Binomial name {{{binomial}}} Trinomial name {{{trinomial}}} Type Species {{{type_species}}} Species See Text [[Image:{{{range_map}}}|{{{range_map_width}}}|]] Synonyms {{{synonyms}}} The genus Oryzomys contains numerous species of muroid rodents commonly referred to as rice rats. ...

Because of their large size, the adults have no problem eating prey as large as fully-grown cottontail rabbits. As the juveniles are capable of swallowing adult mice, even they do not often resort to eating slimmer prey, such as lizards. In fact, eastern cottontails and marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus) form the bulk of their diet in most parts of Florida. Squirrels, rats, and mice are also on the menu, along with birds such as towhees and quail. Other prey that have been reported include a king rail, bobwhites, a young wild turkey, and a mother woodpecker along with four of her eggs.^[2] Species Sylvilagus aquaticus Swamp Rabbit Sylvilagus auduboni Desert Cottontail Sylvilagus bachmani Brush Rabbit Sylvilagus brasiliensis Forest Rabbit Sylvilagus cunicularis Mexican Cottontail Sylvilagus dicei Dices Cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus Eastern Cottontail Sylvilagus graysoni Tres Marias Rabbit Sylvilagus insonus Omilteme Cottontail Sylvilagus mansuetus San Jose Brush Rabbit Sylvilagus nuttallii Mountain Cottontail Sylvilagus... Species see text A Towhee is any one of a number of species of birds in the genus Pipilo (Vieillot, 1816) within the family Emberizidae (which also includes the buntings, American sparrows, and juncos). ... Genera Coturnix Anurophasis Perdicula Ophrysia † See also Pheasant, Partridge, Grouse Quail is a collective name for several genera of mid-sized birds in the pheasant family Phasianidae, or in the family Odontophoridae. ... Binomial name Rallus elegans (Audubon, 1834) The King Rail, Rallus elegans, is a waterbird, the largest North American rail. ... Binomial name Colinus virginianus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Bobwhite Quail or Northern Bobwhite, Colinus virginianus, is a ground_dwelling bird native to North America. ... Binomial name Meleagris gallopavo Linnaeus, 1758 For other uses, see Wild Turkey (disambiguation). ...

Reproduction

Rattlesnakes, including C. adamanteus, are ovoviviparous. Gestation period lasts six or seven months and broods average about a dozen young. However, the young only stay with the mother for a few hours (even days) before they set off on their own to hunt and find recluse, thus mortality rate is very high. Ovoviviparous animals develop within eggs that remain within the mother up until they hatch or are about to. ... Look up Brood in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Females give birth to between 7 and 21 young at a time, usually doing so between July to early October. Neonates are 30-36 cm in length^[11] and are similar in appearance to the adults, except for having only a small button instead of a rattle on the tip of the tail.^[10]

Captivity

Eastern diamondbacks can live beyond twenty years, but life expectancy in the wild is now typically shorter because of hunting and human expansion.

Adult wild-caught specimens are often difficult to maintain in captivity, but captive-born individuals do quite well and feed readily on pre-killed laboratory rodents. They require a dry and well-ventilated cage with a hide-box, maintained a temperature of 23-27°C for normal activity.^[9]

Venom

This species has the reputation of being the most dangerous venomous snake in North America.^[11] While not usually aggressive, they are large and powerful. Wright and Wright (1957) mention a mortality rate of 30% and that some victims have died within a matter of hours.^[8] A venomous snake is a snake that uses modified saliva, venom, delivered through fangs in its mouth, to immobilize or kill its prey. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ...

In proportion to its length, it has the longest fangs of any rattlesnake species, with calculations leading us to expect that an 8-foot (240 cm) specimen would have fangs with a total length of 27 mm (over one inch). For comparison, a 160 cm (5 ft. 3 in.) specimen had fangs with a length of 17 mm.^[2] It has a very high venom yield: an average of 400-450 mg, with a maximum of 858-1,000 mg.^[12] Brown (1973) gives an average venom yield of 410 mg (dried venom), along with LD₅₀ values of 1.3-2.4 mg/kg IV, 1.7-3.0 mg/kg IP and 14.5-10 mg/kg SC for toxicity.^[13] The estimated human lethal dose is 100-150 mg.^[12] An LD50 test being administered In toxicology, the LD50 or colloquially semilethal dose of a particular substance is a measure of how much constitutes a lethal dose. ... Intravenous therapy or IV therapy is the giving of liquid substances directly into a vein. ... In higher vertebrates, the peritoneum is the serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity - it covers most of the intra-abdominal organs. ... The distribution of the bloodvessels in the skin of the sole of the foot. ...

The venom contains a thrombin-like enzyme (TLE), called crotalase, that is capable of clotting fibrinogen, leading to the secondary activation of plasminogen from endothelial cells. Although the venom does not activate platelets, the production of fibrin strands can result in a reduced platelet count, as well as the hemolysis of red blood cells. Even with this defibrination, however, clinically significant bleeding is uncommon (Hasiba et al., 1975). Nevertheless, the venom does exhibit high hemorrhagic activity (Minton, 1974). It also contains a low-molecular-weight basic peptide that impedes neuromuscular transmission (Lee, 1972) and can in theory lead to cardiac failure. This peptide is similar to crotamine from C. durrisus terrificus and makes up 2-8% of the protein found in the venom. In general the venom can be described as highly necrotizing, mildly proteolytic and containing a large phosphodiesterase fraction. It stimulates the release of bradykinin that can result in severe pain, as well as profound, transient hypotension.^[12] Thrombin (activated Factor II) is a coagulation protein that has many effects in the coagulation cascade. ... Ribbon diagram of the enzyme TIM, surrounded by the space-filling model of the protein. ... Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood. ... Plasmin is an important degrading enzyme (EC 3. ... The endothelium is the layer of thin, flat cells that lines the interior surface of blood vessels, forming an interface between circulating blood in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. ... A 250 ml bag of newly collected platelets. ... Fibrin is a protein involved in the clotting of blood. ... Hemolysis (alternative spelling haemolysis) literally means the excessive breakdown of red blood cells. ... Human red blood cells Red blood cells are the most common type of blood cell and the vertebrate bodys principal means of delivering oxygen from the lungs or gills to body tissues via the blood. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert in the field of medicine. ... Peptides (from the Greek πεπτος, digestible), are the family of short molecules formed from the linking, in a defined order, of various α-amino acids. ... Congestive heart failure (CHF) (also called heart failure) is the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively to the body, or requiring elevated filling pressures in order to pump effectively. ... Binomial name Crotalus durissus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms [Crotalus] Durissus - Linnaeus, 1758 Caudisona orientalis - Laurenti, 1768 Caudisona Gronovii - Laurenti, 1768 Crotalus orientalis - Gmelin, 1788 Crotalus simus - Latreille In Sonnini & Latrille, 1801 [Urocrotalon] durissus - Fitzinger, 1843 Uropsophus durissus - Gray, 1849 Caudisona durissa - Cope, 1861 Crotalus durissus - Boulenger, 1896 Crotalus pulvis - Ditmars, 1905... Necrosis (in Greek Νεκρός = Death) is the name given to accidental death of cells and living tissue. ... Proteolysis is the directed degradation (digestion) of proteins by cellular enzymes called proteases or by intramolecular digestion. ... A phosphodiesterase (PDE) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphodiester bonds. ... Spacefilling model of bradykinin Bradykinin is a physiologically and pharmacologically active peptide of the kinin group of proteins, consisting of nine amino acids. ... In physiology and medicine, hypotension refers to an abnormally low blood pressure. ...

Klauber (1997) describes one case in which the symptoms included instant pain "like two hot hypodermic needles," spontaneous bleeding from the bite site, intense internal pain, bleeding from the mouth, hypotension and a weak pulse, swelling and discoloration of the affected limb and associated severe pain. The symptoms were further described as strongly hemolytic and hemorrhagic.^[2]

CroFab and Wyeth's ACP are effective antivenins against bites from this species, although massive doses may be needed to manage severe cases of envenomation. Generally, ACP is very effective at countering the defibrination syndrome that is often seen, but may do little for low platelet counts.^[12] CroFab is the commercial name for crotalidae polyvalent immune fragment antigen binding, manufactured by Savage Laboratories in Melville, New York. ... Wyeth, formerly known as American Home Products, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. ...

See also

• List of rattlesnake species and subspecies.
• Rattlesnakes by common name.
• Rattlesnakes by taxonomic synonyms.
• Snakebite.

For information about rattlesnakes in general, see rattlesnake. ... A snakebite, or snake bite, is a bite inflicted by a Snake. ...

Cited references

Please note that the ITIS system URL has changed (25 September 2006). ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Crotalus adamanteus

• Species Crotalus adamanteus at The Reptile Database.
• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake at Florida Museum of Natural History. Accessed 2 March 2007.
• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake at Yale Herpetology Page. Accessed 2 March 2007.
• Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake at Biology Dept., Davidson College. Accessed 2 March 2007.
• Images of Crotalus adamanteus at SREL Herpetology. Accessed 2 March 2007.
• Crotalus adamanteus at Munich AntiVenom INdex. Accessed 2 March 2007.