Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Habitat

Snakes have a notorious negative connotation attached to their existence as a sign of evil. This may cause you to shy away from learning important facts about their habitat and environmental needs. One of the most famous of all snakes is the western diamondback rattlesnake, which resides in the southwestern regions of the United States and northern parts of Mexico. Some conservationists ignore the dwindling population of snakes because of the snake's unsavory image.

  1. Types

    • The western diamondback, or Crotalus atrox, lives in habitats that are what you would typically find in the warmer climes of the Southwest. Rocky outcroppings, low-lying riverbeds and rolling plains are frequented by this rattlesnake as prime residence. Crotalus atrox can also be found in scrub-oak juniper forests, deserts, thorn scrub and even in rural trash piles. Trash piles can be a prime environment for these rattlers because their prey--typically vermin like mice and rats--are attracted to these sites.

    Range

    • The geographic range of the western diamondback rattlesnake spans from as far east as western Arkansas all the way to the southwestern coast of California. You can find these rattlesnakes as high as 7,000 feet above sea level in some instances, although they typically prefer elevations below 1,000 feet. Concentrated highly in the state of Texas, western diamondbacks occupy the majority of the state except the northern panhandle. Diamondbacks are also found in central Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, the higher elevations of Mexico and the southern tip of Nevada.

    Climate

    • Enjoying arid climates of the Southwest, the western diamondback rattler's activities are temperature-driven, like most reptiles. Nocturnal by nature, you will be most likely to spot one of these rattlers during evening and night hours when temperatures cool in the summer. Western diamondbacks are active during the day in the spring when the days are not as oppressively hot as summer. When it does become hot in the spring, diamondbacks often seek shade along the trails of their prey.

    Hibernation

    • During the cooler months of fall and winter, you may see western diamondback rattlesnakes begin migrating. In colder climates during the winter, many of these snakes gather together in the hundreds in dens and small caves found in rocky regions of the Southwest. In slightly warmer climates, the number of rattlesnakes found hibernating together in dens is often significantly less. Researchers believe this is to help regulate temperature.

    Warning

    • Western diamondback rattlesnakes emerge from their dens in the spring and are sexually charged and hungry. During this time, diamondbacks can be more aggressive towards you if you happen upon them. Avoid nature trails that take you around their prey, which consist of ground squirrels, rats, mice, gophers, prairie dogs, rabbits and sparrows. Rattlesnakes don't always rattle to warn you before striking, and this is often the case when they come into frequent contact with humans. Although this snake is not currently endangered, it is susceptible to habitat loss.