Snakes

Red Diamond Rattlesnake

Crotalus ruber

Across the regions where it's common, the Red Diamond Rattlesnake peaks from March to September.

Shows up in 4 ecoregions and 1 state · venomous

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Snakes

Red Diamond Rattlesnake

Crotalus ruber

venomous

Venomous. Do not handle. Give it room and let it move on. If you're bitten, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Don't cut, suck or ice the bite.

Look, don't take. Many states regulate collecting reptiles and amphibians. Photograph it, log it on iNaturalist and leave it where you found it.

Description

Common names: red diamond rattlesnake, red rattlesnake, red diamond snake, more Crotalus ruber is a venomous pit viper species found in southwestern California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico. Large males may exceed 140 cm (55 in), although specimens of over 150 cm (59 in) are quite rare.Wikipedia ↗

Habitat

Red diamond rattlesnakes are found in the United States in southwestern California and southward through the Baja California peninsula, although not in the desert east of the Sierra de Juárez in northeastern Baja California. It also inhabits a number of islands in the Gulf of California, including Angel de la Guarda, Pond, San Lorenzo del Sur, San Marcos, Danzante, Monserrate and San José.Wikipedia ↗

When it's active

Mating occurs between February and April. Courtship and mating in the wild occur from March through May, though in captivity mating can occur year-around.Wikipedia ↗Animal Diversity Web ↗

Venom

Brown (1973) lists an average venom yield of 364 mg (dried) and LD50 values of 4.0, 3.7 mg/kg IV, 6.0, 7.0, 6.7 mg/kg IP and 21.2 mg/kg SC for toxicity.Wikipedia ↗

Red Diamond Rattlesnake — Amy Huie · CC BY 4.0

iNaturalist ↗

Harmless look-alikes

Gopher Snake, Pine Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Plains Hognose Snake, Mexican Hognose Snake, Prairie Kingsnake, Desert Nightsnake, Chihuahuan NightsnakeSuperficially, gopher snakes resemble many species of rattlesnakes and are often mistaken for them. Animal Diversity Web ↗Non-human predators are likely to be discouraged from attacking gopher snakes when they are mimicing rattlesnakes. Animal Diversity Web ↗Rattlesnakes vs. gopher snakes, bullsnakes and hognose snakes →

When and where it's active

Each row is its own calendar, counted from records in that area. Seasons shift by place.

PeakShoulderQuiet

Ecoregions

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Southern California Coast Sonoran Desert Southern California Mountains Mojave Desert

States

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

California

About the Red Diamond Rattlesnake

When is the Red Diamond Rattlesnake most active?

Across the regions where it's common, the Red Diamond Rattlesnake peaks from March to September.

Where does the Red Diamond Rattlesnake live?

It has enough records to show in 4 ecoregions and 1 states, including California.

Is the Red Diamond Rattlesnake venomous?

Yes. The Red Diamond Rattlesnake is venomous. Don't handle it, and give it room.

What snakes get mistaken for the Red Diamond Rattlesnake?

Harmless lookalikes include the Gopher Snake, Pine Snake, and Eastern Hognose Snake.