Eastern Diamond-Backed Rattlesnakes

 On our latest herpetology field trip we got to work with a great group of people that are trying to help conserve a local population of Eastern Diamond-Backed Rattlesnakes. We got geared up in hiking boots and snake bite leg guards and headed out. They were currently following two individuals, a male and a female, and by using trackers and radio telemetry we were able to find them in the middle of the forest, see how they were doing, and make a note of their gps location. We first found the female resting under a pile of pine straw; She was very calm and in the middle of a shed, evident by the slightly blue glassy looking skin over her eyes. In the below picture, you can see how we found her and just how effective their camouflage can be! 

After finding her and observing her beauty, we went off to track down the male. He was hidden away in his burrow, so we were unable to fully see him, but getting down on the ground and peaking in, we were able to see some of his side and the complex underground system he was sleeping in. We were told that the female we tracked had previously had babies, and on the way out we actually got to stop by and see the burrow she had them in. Inside was a beautiful and complex system of tunnels. 

Eastern Diamond-Backed Rattlesnakes, scientific name of Crotalus adamanteus, are just one species of venomous snake found here in South Carolina. You can often find them in flatwoods, coastal scrubs, woodlands, fields, and more. They are typically olive or brown colored, with the famous dark diamonds outlined by a cream color along the back. Snakes of the genus Crotalus have small scales covering the head and are strongly keeled, as you can see in the image of the female. Rattlesnakes are of course most well known due to the rattle at the end of their tails. The actual rattle is added onto every time the snake sheds, forming loosely connected segments that create that easily identifiable noise when shaken, primarily used to warn potential predators or threats to stay away. It was such a great opportunity to get to see them in their natural habitat and experience a real study in the field. They were very stunning and much more chill than I was expecting, but of course if you ever come across one be sure to be respectful!