Red Diamond Rattlesnake - Crotalus Ruber

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Suborder: Serpentes
• Family: Viperidae
• Subfamily: Crotalinae
• Genus: Crotalus
• Scientific Name: Crotalus Ruber
• Other Names: Red Rattlesnake, Red Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, Red Diamond Snake, Red Rattler

 The Red Diamond Rattlesnake is a medium-sized, venomous pit viper found in the United States and Mexico. This snake is mainly active at night and dusk during very hot weather, but is also active during the day when temperatures are moderate. There are currently three recognized subspecies of the species.

Distribution

The red diamond rattlesnake ranges from southwestern California to Cabo San Lucas and some offshore islands,  and they prefers "coastal sage shrubs, rocky hillsides and outcrops," according to the USGS. It also occupies lower woodland and arable land. It typically avoids low-rise apartments above 5,000 feet on the desert floor, according to the San Diego Museum of Natural History. Although it is usually a ground-based snake, it sometimes crawls into low-lying vegetation such as sage, shrubs, and even cactus.

Diet

According to the California Department of Fish and Game, the Red Diamond rattlesnake feeds on small mammals such as rabbits, ground squirrels and forest rats, as well as reptiles such as lizards and other snakes. Besides, it would probably eat birds.

Reproduction

As the spring gets warmer, the red diamond rattlesnakes get ready for the breeding season, as well as for sunlight and food. Two males may fight for the right to mate with a female. After about four months, in a secluded spot such as an abandoned animal burrow or rock crevice, the female snake may give birth to five to 15 offspring, each about 12 or 13 inches long. As soon as they are born, the chicks are ready to feed and defend themselves. They soon spread out and start living on their own. Red diamond rattlesnakes can live 15 to 16 years in the wild and up to 19 years in captivity.

Venom

The Red Diamond Rattlesnake is both impressively beautiful and impressively deadly, using a high yield of venom to subdue its opponents (rather than a small amount of high-intensity venom). Although its venom is not as poisonous as other rattlesnakes. But you should know that the venom of this kind of snake increases in toxicity as the animal matures. More than three times, the dose can kill a person. The venom produces intense local pain, a lot of swelling, discoloration, degraded blood, as well as nausea, vomiting and a variety of other symptoms. After drying and storage, the venom can retain its full toxicity for more than 20 years. Fortunately, red diamond rattlesnake bites don't occur frequently.