Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Yearling/Juvenile W. Diamondback, about 2.5 feet w/9 buttons. Nineteen subcaudals. M or F, or indeterminate? Thanks,
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MichaelB

I would have to say male. But the bigger question is, and I'm not trying to be rude, why all the interest in breeding atrox?
In this neck of the woods anyway, one can go out on any given night this time of yr and see 50 or more neonates. A common snake without a whole lot of color/pattern variance. I'm just wondering why you would devote so much time and energy (ie, feeding, cleaning, etc.)when you could go out and pick one up as a neonate?
Not trying to knock you here, just wondering?
Bill

No intention whatsoever of breeding. Just a simple matter of curiosity.

But if you've ever seen the results of the local rattlesnake roundups around here (TX/OK), there might be an incentive to breed. Atrox takes the brunt of it at most of the local roundups - thousands killed each year. C. atrox has been virtually extirpated from may parts of it's natural range in this area.
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MichaelB

Michael,

According to Gloyd (1940) and Klauber (1956), 19 subcaudals is the lowest value for male atrox. In fact, in counts I have made on specimens from south Texas, I have never found a male with fewer than 23 subcaudals. This probably varies geographically, however.

Unless you are experienced with it, probing may not be 100% accurate either and the snakes do tend to resent it!

Good luck!

Tom Lott

Mine would never forgive me. She gets mad enough when I walk in the room. I'd only breed if I got an albino male, but even then I might not.

???

I would say nineteen subcaudals is a female.