Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Description:

Oklahoma's largest rattlesnake with adults exceeding 2 meters in length. Individuals of all ages have pronounced "diamond" pattern on the dorsal surface from head to cloaca. The tail has alternating black and white bands, leading to the snake to be know in some areas as a "coon-tail rattler".

Habitat:

Equally at home in rocky plains and heavily wooded forest areas.

Notes:

This snake will readily warn intruders of its presence by a loud rattling of its tail. The tail terminates in a series of "buttons" made of dried skin from previous sheds. The plastic-like keratin buttons rattle loudly enough to serve as an effective warning.