Crotalus

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Crotalus adamanteus, is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae. It is North America's longest, heaviest venomous snake, averaging 3-6 feet long, with some adults growing up to 8 feet. On average they weigh about 10 pounds and can live for up to 15 years in the wild. This species is easily identified by the diamond-shaped pattern along its back, as well as the distinctive black band that covers its eyes, outlined by two pale lines. It is endemic to the southeastern United States, and live in dry sandy areas, pine and wiregrass flatwoods, barrier islands, and costal dunes.

It is known for its iconic rattle and venomous bite, which can be fatal to humans. Despite their reputation as the most dangerous venomous snake in North America, they are highly adverse to human contact and will generally only bite when threatened. When threatened, they will coil into an S-shape threat display posture and rattle their tail as a final warning before striking their opponent. The toxin in their venom, called hemotoxin, kills red blood cells and causes tissue damage. However, human deaths from rattle snake bites are rare due to the availability of antivenom.

They primarily eat small mammals and birds. Being pit vipers, eastern diamondback rattlesnakes use a heat sensing pit organ near its nostrils to detect warm blooded prey. They are ambush predators, and will strike their prey with their venomous bite then release. The rattlesnake then follows the scent trail and consumes its prey once it has died.