Daily Activities of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

The western diamondback rattlesnake, Crotalus atrox, has a habitat range that covers northwestern Mexico, western Arkansas, eastern and southern Oklahoma, most of Texas, southern Nevada and California and central and southern Arizona and New Mexico. The snakes generally live in elevations below 1500 meters, but have been found above 2400 meters in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Western diamondback rattlesnakes alter their daily activity according to the temperature and time of year.

  1. Summer Activities

    • During hot summer months, most daytime activity of the western diamondback rattlesnake ceases. The snakes become nocturnal when the temperature rises, with most activity concentrated during cool twilight hours. Most of the day is spent coiled underneath shade offered by prickly pear cacti and other desert bushes. Rattlesnakes hunt by way of ambush on cool summer evenings. They sit coiled and hidden along rodent paths and wait for mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits, birds or lizards to pass by. The snake detects the movement of prey with heat sensitive organs called pits between its nose and eyes. When animals pass nearby, the rattlesnake strikes, poisons the prey and swallows it whole. Diamondbacks eat only once every two to three weeks on average.

    Fall Activities

    • Diamondback rattlesnakes start to migrate toward their winter dens and habitats when fall weather and cooler temperatures set in. The snakes seek out rock crevices and holes in desert habitats with warmer winters. They prefer holes and tunnel systems of other animals such as prairie dogs when forced to make dens in colder climate zones like prairies and grasslands. The snakes still hunt and remain active during twilight hours until mid to late fall, when daytime hunting occurs more often. Female snakes give birth to nine to 14 baby snakes in late September through October.

    Winter Activities

    • Diamondbacks live in communal dens in the winter.

      Crotalus atrox snakes spend most of their time sheltered in communal dens during cool winter months. Most dens are located on south facing rocky areas. While the rattlesnakes remain mostly dormant throughout winter, high temperatures sometimes drive them out of the dens for food, water and warmth.

    Spring Activities

    • Western diamondbacks mate in the spring.

      When the temperature increases steadily in early to mid-spring, the western diamondback rattlesnakes emerge from their winter abodes ready to mate. While searching for females to mate with, two males will often engage in a ritualistic form of combat. The two male snakes intertwine vertically with one another in a spiral shape. The winner of the bout usually ends up mating with the female over which the battle began. The snakes continue to hunt throughout the day and evening until warmer temperatures again force them into holes and shade during the day.