Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
The western diamondback rattlesnake takes its name from the distinctive rattle at the tip of its tail, made up of keratin segments that produce a warning sound when vibrated. This signal is primarily used to avoid conflict by alerting potential predators to keep their distance. An ambush predator, it also locates prey using specialised heat-sensing organs that detect the infrared radiation emitted by warm-blooded animals, even in complete darkness.
IUCN RED LIST
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) classifies living species according to criteria that take into account their level of threat of extinction: the Red List is an indispensable tool for coordinating nature conservation actions, a veritable barometer of the health of our Planet.
Lives in the southern United States and Mexico
Fun Fact
The tail ends with rings of cartilage that increase in number with age;
by shaking them, it signals its presence… a good defensive weapon to avoid being stepped on.
Gli animali che vivono nella stessa area geografica
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