Herpetofauna - One Life's List

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox

Val Verde Co., Texas, May 19, 1999.
 


 

 Whatever else may fail you, a night's road cruising in the Southwest will more than likely turn up at least one atrox.  They can be common, and in the case of the rattler pictured here, quite beautiful.  Like most other venomous snakes in North America, they strive mightily to escape, rather than stand their ground.  This west Texas specimen was induced to coil and remain still by surrounding it with four men.  After taking photos, this beauty was allowed to crawl back into the thornscrub chapparal, and in seconds was gone from view.

Below is an atrox from the Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge in south Texas, a darker specimen than those from further west.
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