gentetip

#Okmulgee #Pitviper #Fieldherping #Pygmyrattlesnake

This small venomous rattlesnake is identified by the orange or reddish stripe down the backbone coupled with black cross-bands. The general background color is gray.

The top of the head is distinctly patterned with an arrow shaped pattern. This marking helps to differentiate between baby Timber Rattlesnakes, which often inhabit the same areas and can look similar
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All of the pit vipers found in Oklahoma have heat-sensing pits. These occur between the eyes and nostrils, but are difficult to see in the species because they blend with the pattern of the snake.

The tail is tipped with a very small rattle that produces a sound reminiscent of a small insect buzzing. In this video you can actually hear the rattle amid the background noise. This species is also known as the Ground Rattler to many people.

This snake is fairly common in south central and eastern Oklahoma.

#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.