Page 10 - Arkansas Snake Guide
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VENOMOUS SNAKES
KELLY IRWIN
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
Range Uplands of Ouachita Mountains and southwestern
Ozark highlands.
Description Pit viper, keeled scales. Light brown, gray to
grayish brown, with 24-45 diamond-shaped, light-bordered,
brownish blotches. Tail white, with 3-7 black bands; origin
of the name “coon-tail rattler.” Pair of pale stripes on the
sides of the head. Young are patterned like adults. Adults
average 36-60 inches in length; rare individuals up to 72+
inches.
Habitat and Habits Found in upland rocky, open
pine-hardwood forests and rocky outcrops. Active April-
October; active at night during summer months. Breeds in
fall or early spring. Up to 25 young born August-October.
Eats large numbers of rats and mice. Also feeds on rabbits
and squirrels. Arkansas’ rarest venomous snake.
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