Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
The red diamond rattlesnake has a body length, ranging from 39-59 inches, with the largest specimen having a length of 64 inches. It has a reddish skin pigmentation, whic…
How to identify
The red diamond rattlesnake has a body length, ranging from 39-59 inches, with the largest specimen having a length of 64 inches. It has a reddish skin pigmentation, which it derives its name from. It has a transversely divided lower labial scale on each sides, which forms a pair of anterior chin shields. The dorsal scales are arranged on 29 rows but a few species have 25-31 rows. Its ventrals range from 185-206.
Range
The red diamond rattle snake can be found in South-western California and Southward through the Baja California Peninsula, inhabiting Californian islands like; San Marcos, Angel de la Guarda, Danzante, Monserrate, and San Jose.
Habitat
It dwells in the cooler coastal zone, over the mountains, and into the deserts. They inhabit the dense chaparral country of the foothills, cactus patches and boulders from sea level. It preys on rabbits, squirrels, birds, lizards, and other snakes. Species from the coastal regions prey on animals with larger body mass than those of the desert region. They mate between February and April and the females give birth in August, birthing between 3 and 20 young, having a length of 30-34 cm.
Variations
Cedrol island red diamond rattlesnake (crotalus ruber exsul) San Lucan red diamond rattlesnake (crotalus ruber lucasensis) Red diamond rattlesnake (crotalus ruber ruber)
Similar species
The Western Diamondback rattlesnake (crotalus atrox) is the second largest-bodied species of rattlesnake and the second largest species of North American venomous snakes, with a mass of 3-6 lbs and an average adult length of 4 ft. The Western Rattlesnake (crotalus oreganus) has a dark-brown, dark-grey, olive-brown, or pale yellowish dorsum, with a series of large, dark blotches and uneven white edges. The Speckled rattlesnake (crotalus mitchellii) has an average body length of 100 cm. however, a rare species has a record length of 136.7 cm.
Name and etymology
Ruber: Latin for red.
More illustrations
Tail
At a glance
Size
162.5 cm
Range
The red diamond rattle snake can be found in South-western California and Southward through the Baja California Peninsula, in…
Habitat
It dwells in the cooler coastal zone, over the mountains, and into the deserts. They inhabit the dense chaparral country of t…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap