Herpetarium

Shake Rattle and Roll
a resident of St. Louis' Herpetarium
14 June 2007

This is an Eastern Diamond Rattle Snake. It must have been very hungry because when we got there (his cage) he was moving around, very restless. My husband and I took turn on taking the photos, like we were almost in competition who gets the best one, ha ha ha ha. I am still practicing with my macro skills and how to use the camera.

According to the Herpetarium management:

This impressive, heavy-bodied snake may exceed eight feet in length, making it the largest of the rattlesnakes. It makes its home in the burrows of armadillos or gopher tortoises. Range around Southeastern United States and the Florida Keys most commonly found in woodlands; abandoned agricultural and logging areas.

Destruction of its habitat threatens this species, especially in Florida. Another growing threat in the Southeast are rattlesnake "round-ups." Zoos and other conservation groups have long been critical of these events, and support their regulation or prohibition. Did you know that this snake is venomous?