Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake  Coastal lowlands ranging from
North Carolina to eastern Louisiana and throughout Florida,
including the Keys  Palmetto flatwoods and dry pinelands of the
south  Distinguishing Characteristics One of the largest North
American snakes the eastern diamondback can grow up to 8 feet in
length and is quite heavy bodied. The base color ranges from
olive to brown or even almost black. They are distinguished by a
row of large dark diamonds with brown centers and cream-colored
borders down its back.  Dietary Classification Diet in the Zoo:
rats & rabbits  Diet in the Wild: small mammals from mice to
rabbits  Life Span Can live to be 20 years or more  Males
compete for dominance through combat sessions. They raise the
front part of their bodies and entwine each other and try to
thrown one another to the ground using their necks and bodies.
If provoked, they will coil and rattle and raise their head in a
striking position and if threatened, bite. The eastern
diamondback can strike up to t