Are there diamondback rattlesnakes in Alabama?
6 min read
Asked by: Sarah Sanders
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake is locally common in suitable habitat regions of extreme south Alabama in the lower coastal plains and the adjacent band of red hills to the north. HABITAT: Favored habitats for the diamondback include dry pine flatwoods and longleaf pine-turkey oak hills.
What’s the biggest rattlesnake in Alabama?
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are the largest venomous snake in Alabama, and the longest rattlesnake species in the world, growing just over 7 feet in length. However, snakes measuring 4-5 feet long are much more common.
What states are diamondback rattlesnakes found?
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are endemic to the southeastern United States. They are found in the pinelands of Florida, the coastal plains of North Carolina and southern Mississippi through eastern Louisiana.
Where do rattlesnakes live in Alabama?
HABITAT: Timber rattlesnakes inhabit upland and lowland habitats such as hardwood forest with rocky outcrops, pine flatwoods, bottomland hardwood forests, and cane thickets. FEEDING HABITS: Timber rattlesnakes eat small mammals such as mice, chipmunks, squirrels, and occasionally frogs and birds.
What kind of rattlesnakes are in Alabama?
According to the Alabama Cooperative Extension, the state’s native venomous snakes include the Copperhead, Cottonmouth, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Pigmy Rattlesnake, and the Eastern Coral Snake.
Are king snakes in Alabama?
DISTRIBUTION: Black kingsnakes inhabit areas from southern Ohio, western West Virginia, southeastern Illinois and south to northeastern Mississippi, north Alabama, and northwestern Georgia. HABITAT: They thrive in many habitats including hardwood and pine forests, bottomlands and swamps, farmlands and suburban areas.
Are Eastern Diamondbacks protected in Alabama?
Nothing herein is intended to prevent the relocation of live Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes to suitable habitat when conducted in the same day as capture and with landowner permission.
Breadcrumb.
| Common Name | Scientific Name |
|---|---|
| Turtle, Alabama Red-bellied | Pseudemys alabamensis |
What states have no rattlesnakes?
The 4 U.S. states that do not have any species of venomous snakes are:
- Alaska.
- Hawaii.
- Maine.
- Rhode Island.
What state has most rattlesnakes?
Arizona
The greatest concentration of them is in the Southwestern United States and in Northern Mexico. Arizona is home to 13 species of rattler, more than any other state.
Are there diamondback rattlesnakes in Georgia?
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes are the largest venomous snake in North America, and the largest of our six venomous species found in Georgia. These are large, heavy-bodied pit vipers. They are known to reach 78 inches (6.5 feet), and there are unsubstantiated reports of them growing to just over 8 feet.
What is the biggest snake in Alabama?
The Eastern indigo is the largest snake native to the United States, growing up to 8 feet long. Once common throughout the longleaf pine forests that used to dominate Alabama, the snake was extirpated from the state by the 1950s, largely due to habitat loss.
Does Alabama have water moccasins?
Agkistrodon piscivorus is found in the southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and east Texas. There are three subspecies: the eastern, Florida, and western cottonmouths. HABITAT: Any wetlands or waterways within their range.
Are there pythons in Alabama?
Regarding the large constrictor snakes, they cannot survive in Alabama and there is no legitimate science to support this speculation. Our climate, even southernmost Alabama, is much colder than the southern four counties of Florida where Burmese pythons are found.
What snake is native to Alabama?
Brown/Tan
| Brownsnake | Northern Red-bellied Snake | Eastern Garter Snake |
| Rough Earth Snake | Western Smooth Earth Snake | Plain-bellied Water Snake |
| Southern Water Snake | Diamond-backed Water Snake | Brown Water Snake |
| Glossy Crayfish Snake | Copperhead | Timber Rattlesnake |
| Pigmy Rattlesnake | Eastern Coachwhip |
How big do rat snakes get in Alabama?
A large, moderately stout snake attaining a maximum length of about 101 inches. The gray rat subspecies is slightly smaller than the black rat, attaining a maximum length of only about 84 inches. The black rat snake is more common in north Alabama, while the gray rat snake is more common in the south.
What venomous snakes live in Alabama?
This group includes the eastern diamondback rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, copperhead, and cottonmouth. The sixth venomous snake in Alabama is the coral snake.
How many rattlesnakes are in Alabama?
“There is always a better way to get rid of the snake than killing it. Putting yourself in a position to kill a snake is THE most dangerous thing that you could do.” As long as you know how to react, an encounter with one of Alabama’s 6 venomous snakes is not necessarily dangerous.
Are there pygmy rattlesnakes in Alabama?
DISTRIBUTION: In Alabama, Carolina pigmy rattlesnakes occur across the northern one-third of the state and in the eastern portion of the state southward to Lee County. Dusky pigmy rattlesnakes are restricted to the Lower Coastal Plain, typically in sandy pinelands and scrubby areas.
What months are snakes most active in Alabama?
Most Active Periods for Snakes in Alabama
From early spring through the beginning of summer, snakes are most active, which means that they are searching for food and mates. They are still active from late summer to early fall.
What temperature is too cold for rattlesnakes?
At cold temperatures, these reactions are slow and at warm temperatures they are fast. These chemical reactions are optimal at body temperatures are between 70 – 90 degrees Farenheit. Below 60 degrees Farenheit, snakes become sluggish. Above 95 degrees F, snakes become overheated.
Do rattlesnakes come out at night?
During the spring, summer, and early fall months, rattlesnakes come out at all hours of the day and night. Yes, rattlesnakes do come out at night. In fact, because of their heat sensing organs, they can see just as well at night as they can during the day.
What time of day are rattlesnakes most active?
morning
While they can be out any time, rattlesnakes are most active in the morning and from dusk into the night. They hunt mice and rodents in darkness because they can sense body heat with special organs on their face.
What smells keep rattlesnakes away?
There are many scents snakes don’t like including smoke, cinnamon, cloves, onions, garlic, and lime. You can use oils or sprays containing these fragrances or grow plants featuring these scents.
What animal keeps rattlesnakes away?
Consider natural predators
Cats, foxes, raccoons, turkeys, pigs, and guinea hens are natural predators of snakes. Having these animals on or around your property is an effective natural way to keep snakes at bay. You can also purchase store-bought fox urine to use as a natural snake repellent.
How far away can a rattlesnake strike?
As a rule of thumb, rattlesnakes can, at best, strike a distance of two-thirds their total body length. For example, a three foot long snake may be able to strike a distance of two feet. Always keep a safe distance from any snake.
Can you outrun a rattlesnake?
Rattlesnake speeds have not been specifically measured, but they likely travel at about 2 to 3 miles per hour in very short bursts. In comparison, the fastest humans can run up to 28 miles per hour. The average human could easily outrun a rattlesnake.
Do rattlesnakes jump at you?
Snakes cannot jump, but instead lunge forward from a coiled position at an accelerated speed. As a snake launches itself, it may appear as though the snake is jumping. One study at The University of Louisiana, Lafayette, found that rattlesnakes were the fastest striking among venomous snakes.
