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#rattlesnake #oksnakes #crotalusatrox

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake feeds on small mammals such as prairie dogs, rabbits, gophers, chipmunks, ground squirrels, mice and rats, usually they hunt at night. The snake will lay along a trail and ambush a prey item or attack them in their burrows, sometimes striking and swallowing an animal which is bigger than the snake itself. Given the opportunity, the snake will also eat birds. After feeding, the snake can go several weeks before feeding again.

#Crotalushorridus #Timber #Snakelahoma #fieldherping


Cover photo: Tyler Albertson

The Timber Rattlesnake is highly venomous but seldom seen and very reclusive. Timber rattlesnakes are slow to defend themselves and rely on their ability to blend into their surroundings to avoid detection. They seek to escape rather than risk danger and will remain silent if possible and stay hidden.

Despite their large size and reputation, they are difficult to provoke into striking. Often called America's snake, the Timber Rattlesnake is thought to be the serpent viewed on the Gadsden Flag and Benjamin Franklin had written about the animal too.