Freeze Dried Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus is a venomous pit viper species found in the southeastern United States. It is the heaviest (though not longest) venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake. It featured prominently in the American Revolution, specifically as the symbol of what many consider to be the first flag of the United States of America, the Gadsden flag. No subspecies are currently recognized.
These Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes have been processed via lyophilisation, a method of drying blood plasma or tissue without destroying it’s physical structure. The results are incredibly lifelike & natural when compared to traditional taxidermy.This is the largest rattlesnake species, with one captive specimen which weighed over 26 pounds (12 kg). Maximum reported lengths are 8 feet (2.4 m) and 8.25 feet (2.5 m). However, the stated maximum sizes have been called into question due to a lack of voucher specimens.
Specimens over 7 feet (2.1 m) are rare, but well documented. Klauber (1998) includes a letter he received from E. Ross Allen in 1953, in which Allen explains how for years he offered a reward of $100, and later $200, for an 8 feet (2.4 m) specimen, dead or alive. The reward was never claimed. He did receive a number of 7-foot specimens and some 8-foot skins, but said that such skins can be taken from a 6-foot snake.[3] A 7.3 feet (2.2 m) specimen was caught and killed outside a neighborhood in St. Augustine, Florida in September 2009.[10]
The average size is much less: lengths of 3.5 to 5.5 feet (1.1 to 1.7 m)[11], and 2.75 to 6 feet (0.8 to 1.8 m) are given.[12] One study found an average length of 5.6 feet (1.7 m) based on 31 males and 43 females.[13]
The scalation includes 25-31 (usually 29) rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 165-176/170-187 ventral scales in males/females and 27-33/20-26 subcaudal scales in males/females. On the head, the rostral scale is higher than it is wide and contacts two internasal scales. There are 10-21 scales in the internasal-prefrontal region and 5-11 (usually 7-8) intersupraocular scales. Usually there are two loreal scales between preoculars and the postnasal. There are 12-17 (usually 14-15) supralabial scales, the first of which is in broad contact with the prenasal, and 15-21 (usually 17-18) sublabial scales.[9]
The color pattern consists of a brownish, brownish yellow, brownish gray or olive ground color, overlaid with a series of 24-35 dark brown to black diamonds with slightly lighter centers. Each of these diamond-shaped blotches is outlined with a row of cream or yellowish scales. Posteriorly, the diamond shapes become more like cross-bands and are followed by 5-10 bands around the tail. The belly is a yellowish or cream colored, with diffused dark mottling along the sides. The head has a dark postocular stripe that extends from behind the eye backwards and downwards to the lip; the back of the stripe touches the angle of the mouth. Anteriorly and posteriorly, the postocular stripe is bordered by distinct white or yellow stripes.
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Common names include eastern diamondback rattlesnake, eastern diamond-backed rattlesnake,eastern diamondback, diamond rattlesnake, diamond-back rattlesnake, common rattlesnake, diamond-back, diamond(-patch) rattler, eastern diamond-back (rattlesnake), eastern diamond rattlesnake, Florida diamond-back (rattlesnake), Florida rattlesnake, lozenge-spotted rattlesnake, rattler, rattlesnake, southeastern diamond-backed rattlesnake, southeastern diamond-backed rattler, southern woodland rattler, water rattle, water rattlesnake and diamondback rattlesnake.
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Actual snakes vary; we will accommodate requests prior to order whenever possible.