Common Name: Eastern 
diamondback rattlesnake

Scientific Name: 
Crotalus adamanteus

Identification: 25-90 in. not including length of 
rattle. Brown body with dark brown, pale-edged, 
diamond shaped markings; dark band bordered 
by light stripes behind eyes; tail with dark rings, 
followed by a rattle. These snakes have a tri-
angle shaped head with  vertically elliptic pupils 
and a loreal pit between each eye and nostril. A 
young eastern diamondback rattlesnake will have 
a button with few or no segments as a rattle. 
Scales keeled.

Habits: Diamondback rattlesnakes are found in open pinelands. They feed on rodents, birds and small rabbits.
Distribution: Upland portions of Tangipahoa, Washington and St.Tammany parishes.
Comments: These snakes are highly venomous!!!  Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are easily irritated and usually stand their ground when approached, shaking their tail to make the classic buzzing sound. Rattlesnakes have been called the gentleman of snakes because they announce their presence before they strike. Since these snakes grow to such a large size the amount of venom that can be delivered in a bite is considerable, which many believe make the eastern diamond-back the most dangerous of the pit vipers in Louisiana!