Class Mascot: Crotalus adamentus

Picking a herp to represent an exuberant and determined group of students is not an easy task.  The class was motivated throughout the semester to find a Crotalidae on our trips, only to come up empty handed.  Upon meeting with the resident herpetologists on our excursions, they discussed their ongoing efforts on projects with intentions of preserving the existing eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamentus) populations.  Coupling our eagerness to observed a Crotalus in the wild and the state of South Carolina's love to preserve the species I feel that it is only just to make Crotalus adamentus our class mascott.  C. adamentus, as part of family Crotalidae, has heat-sensing pits (which lets face it, we all wish we had), allowing it to use infrared radiation to sense its prey.  It is also one of the largest north american members of Order Serpentes.  As we push through finals, our willpower will be put to the test, but we will survive; as will the eastern diamondback rattlesnake with the extensive ongoing conservation efforts.