Known for its formidable size and unique markings, it is the heaviest venomous snake in the Americas. The average weight is around 10 pounds and is anywhere from 3-6 feet in length and can live up to 15 years in the wild. One of the eastern diamondback’s most distinctive features is its diamond-shaped scale pattern along its back. These dark brown or black diamond shapes are surrounded by lighter brownish, brownish-yellow or even olive scales. At the front of its large triangular shaped head, this snake has vertical elliptical pupils (a defining characteristic of most venomous snakes). At the end of their tail, eastern diamondbacks have a rattle that they shake to warn predators or humans if threatened. The sound is unmistakable. If you hear a rattle sound, freeze and try to locate the snake. Remaining motionless reduces the threat you pose to the snake, which decreases chances of a strike. Once you assess the situation, establish a safe escape. Diamondbacks eat small mammals and birds. To do so, they sit-and-wait, waiting in disguise beside logs, large vegetation or palmettos for prey to come along. Rattlesnakes locate prey by scent, as well as by sensing the infrared waves, or heat, given off by a warm-blooded animal. Once a rattlesnake strikes, it releases venom through its fangs, then releases the prey, letting it crawl away to die. The rattlesnake will retrieve its prey. In general, these snakes avoid predators by using their rattle as a warning system and by staying under cover and camouflaged. Their predators include birds of prey (hawks and eagles), other snakes and mammals. As with all snakes, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake only attacks when it feels threatened. Rattlesnakes can strike to a distance of up to half their body length. A good rule of thumb is to put at least five feet between yourself and the snake. Keep your dog on a 6-foot leash and avoid letting it walk in the grass along trails. Be especially aware of rattlesnakes around dusk, when snakes become active hunting. How to avoid a rattlesnake bite
The venom of the eastern diamondback rattlesnake is highly potent and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Untreated eastern diamondback rattlesnake bites have a fatality rate of 10 to 20 percent. About 25% of rattlesnake bites are "dry bites," meaning no venom was injected. But don't count on that! What to do if bitten by a rattlesnake
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