If you look at the more popular snake guides of Florida, they only list four species known to inhabit there; and the pygmy rattlesnake is not one of them. However, I continue to survey for snakes on the islands I am finding species not listed ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
This species is the one that causes the most concern for folks and enhances their fear of all snakes. The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (EDB) (Crotalus adamanteus) is the largest venomous snake in the U.S. Most today will only reach a length ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeRattlesnakes are only found in the new world. Species exist in North, South, and Central America. In the U.S. and Canada there are 30 known species. Most prefer high dry habitats, but many can be found on high ridges near, or within wetlands, ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeThe purpose of consuming food is to acquire energy. It does not make sense to expend more energy to kill your prey than you will receive from consuming it; there would be a net loss. Therefore, as we mentioned in Part 2, predators select ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeBreeding is a major part of all animal life cycles, and this is no different for rattlesnakes. Like other reptiles there are separate sexes, and internal fertilization is the rule. For this to happen, during breeding season males must find ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeAll animals have a thermal range within which they can survive. For some it is very small range, for others it is amazingly large. Whatever their range is, they function best near the upper portion of it. “Warm blooded” animals (endotherms) ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeThough encounters with Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are rare, bites from them are even more rare, and deaths from those bites almost nonexistent, it is worth discussing the issues and remedies of a bite. About 8000 people are bitten ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, WildlifeIt is understood that rattlesnakes are carnivores and will select some form of meat for their food. The general principle is to select something that is easy to kill and requires less energy to do so. Most rattlesnakes will select rodents ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife
This sounds similar to the idea that has been discussed about protecting some species of sharks. Do we really want to do this? It reminds me of an interesting situation that was created when they passed the Marine Mammal Act in ... READ MORE
Category: Coasts & Marine, Natural Resources, Wildlife