Although this snake will be reviewed here, in the author's opinion the likelihood of encountering a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in Harris County is virtually zero. I have actively searched for this species in areas of Harris County where they could possibly still be found, and I have yet to document one here. The research that documented the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake here (along with the Timber Rattlesnake and the Western Pygmy Rattlesnake) was performed decades ago. In that time, the habitat necessary for this type of snake has been all but eliminated due to road construction, agriculture, clearing, subdivisions, malls, power easements, etc. Even in those areas that still have appropriate habitat, they have been systematically killed (extirpated) because of the perceived threat they pose. The closest specimen found to Harris County by the author was near the San Luis Pass along the Texas coast, and specimens are occasionally documented in the sand dunes on Galveston Island.
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is considered to be the most dangerous venomous snake in Texas. This is due to its very aggressive nature and the fact that it is a commonly seen snake in southern and western Texas. They will most definitely defend themselves, and the vast majority of venomous snake fatalities in Texas are attributable to this snake. It is also crepuscular, being active whenever the temperature permits. In the summer months the weather is normally extremely hot, causing Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes to be nocturnal (active at night).
Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes are easily identified by the series of dark diamond-shaped markings with a white outline on their backs. These dark markings give way to evenly spaced black and white rings around the tail, and the most notable feature of any rattlesnake's body is the series of rattles on the end of their tail. Keep in mind that there are a wide variety of local snakes, both venomous and nonvenomous, that will vibrate their tails when threatened to frighten away predators. However, the rattlesnakes are the only snakes that have rattles!
As with all Pit Vipers in the United States, the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake gives birth to live young....there is no such thing as a rattlesnake egg. The young average ten to twelve inches at birth and already have a rattle segment called a button on the end of their tail. Remember - even the newborn Western Diamondback has this rattle button, so if it doesn't have this it isn't a rattlesnake!!
Adults average four to five feet in length, but there are occasional "giants" that may reach 7 1/2 feet. Diet consists primarily of small mammals such as shrews and mice for juveniles. However, as they reach adult size their diet becomes more generalized and consists of any appropriately sized mammal. Rabbits are even taken by very large individuals