Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is a venomous pit viper native to a large area of southcentral and southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It has several other common names.

It can grow to over 5 feet (1.5 metres). It usually has a white hatching pattern or diamond shapes on a dark grey or brown background.

There are black and white warning rings between the body and the rattle at the end of the tail. The snake will rattle its tail as a deterrent before it strikes.

Thousands of humans in the US and Mexico receive bites from this rattlesnake each year resulting in a few deaths.