Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Crotalus ruber
A large pinkish-red rattlesnake of Baja California and southern California, marked with bold diamond blotches.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.9-1.5 m (3-5 ft), occasionally larger
- Range
- Southern California, USA and Baja California, Mexico
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Overview
The Red Diamond Rattlesnake is a large, heavy-bodied pit viper endemic to the Baja California peninsula and extending into southernmost California. Its rusty-red to pinkish coloration and bold diamond pattern make it one of the most attractive rattlesnake species in North America.
Despite its size, it is generally considered mild-tempered for a rattlesnake, though its venom is still medically significant.
How to identify it
- Rusty red, pinkish, or brick-colored background with dark-bordered diamond blotches down the back
- Tail marked with alternating black and white rings just before the rattle
- Broad, triangular head distinct from the neck
- Heat-sensing pit between eye and nostril
- Vertically elliptical pupils
- Distinguished from the similar western diamondback by its reddish tone and less contrasting tail rings
Habitat & range
Inhabits chaparral, coastal sage scrub, rocky hillsides, and desert edges of the Baja California peninsula and extreme southern California, often near rock outcrops used for shelter.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal in warm months and more diurnal in cooler seasons. Feeds on small mammals, birds, and lizards using ambush predation. Viviparous, bearing live young in late summer or fall. Regarded as relatively calm and reluctant to strike compared to other rattlesnakes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Red Diamond Rattlesnake aggressive?
It is generally considered mild-tempered for a rattlesnake, though it will strike if sufficiently provoked.
How can I distinguish it from a diamondback?
Its reddish to pinkish coloration and less strongly contrasting tail rings help separate it from the western diamondback rattlesnake.
Where does it live?
It is found in Baja California, Mexico, and extreme southern California, USA.
What habitats does it prefer?
It favors chaparral, coastal scrub, and rocky hillsides.
Red Diamond Rattlesnake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Red Diamond Rattlesnake.
