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Animal Guide

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

33 destinations · 16 states

Native Range
Southwestern and south-central United States, northern Mexico

A western diamondback rattlesnake is not always the first animal you notice in a reptile exhibit. Its dusty brown and gray coloring blends remarkably well with rocks, soil, and dry vegetation, while the dark diamond shapes along its back give it away once you know where to look. Watch the head for a moment and you may catch the tongue flicking in and out as the snake gathers chemical clues from the air. Heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils help it detect warm-bodied prey, an especially useful ability for an ambush hunter. Much of the time, the snake waits quietly for a mouse, rat, or other small animal to pass within striking range. If disturbed, the familiar rattle can become surprisingly loud, produced by rapidly shaking the tail. In the wild, western diamondbacks occupy deserts, grasslands, scrub, and rocky areas across the Southwest. At a zoo, seeing one resting calmly among natural-looking surroundings offers a good reminder that a snake does not need to move constantly to be doing something.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Where to see Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

33 destinations across 16 states

33 destinations

Abilene Zoo

Abilene, TX

ABQ BioPark Zoo

Albuquerque, NM

Alligator Adventure

North Myrtle Beach, SC

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Tucson, AZ

Caldwell Zoo

Tyler, TX

Cameron Park Zoo

Waco, TX

Chattanooga Zoo

Chattanooga, TN

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Powell, OH

Dallas Zoo

Dallas, TX

Dickerson Park Zoo

Springfield, MO

Ellen Trout Zoo

Lufkin, TX

Fort Worth Zoo

Fort Worth, TX

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Fresno, CA

Gladys Porter Zoo

Brownsville, TX

Henry Vilas Zoo

Madison, WI

Houston Zoo

Houston, TX

John Ball Zoo

Grand Rapids, MI

Living Desert Zoo

Carlsbad, NM

Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo

Monroe, LA

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN

Oklahoma City Zoo

Oklahoma City, OK

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium

Omaha, NE

Orange County Zoo

Orange, CA

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix, AZ

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Pittsburgh, PA

Reptile World Serpentarium

St Cloud, FL

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

Columbia, SC

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio, TX

The Jackson Zoo

Jackson, MS

The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens

Palm Desert, CA

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Toledo, OH

Tulsa Zoo

Tulsa, OK

ZooAmerica

Hershey, PA

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