Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) Familie: Vipers (Viperidae) Orden: Squamates or Scaly Reptiles (Squamata).

Other names:  Coon-tail Rattler (local name). Size:  Usually less than 1.50 m. Maximum length is 2.13 m, according to Campbell & Lamar (2004, see list of references), although these authors mention records of specimens of up to 2.34 m. Should these records be true, it could make the Western Diamondback the largest rattlesnake species, since several records of large Eastern Diamondbacks, which is usually regarded as the largest rattlesnake species, are undocumented. Distribution:  Western USA (California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, possibly Kansas) and Mexico (Nuevo Leon, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Baja California, Sonora, Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Queretaro, Oaxaca). References: Campbell, J.A. & Lamar, W.W. 2004. The venomous reptiles of the western hemisphere. Vol. I-II. Comstock, Ithaka. 870 pp. Text & layout: Rune Midtgaard

Gallery Home The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is one of the largest species of rattlesnake. The name "diamondback" refers to the distinct pattern of diamond-shaped blotches on the back. © Rune Midtgaard.