Rattlesnake ID

[shaggybill]

I am having an argument with someone I know over what kind of rattlesnake this is. He killed the snake in Texas and he measured it at 6'2". (Of course he's hearing it from me for killing it.) He claims its a mojave, I say because of the size its a WDB. I have no way of seeing the tail or the head to make an identification easier. I have only seen this photo of the snake, so you know as much as I do about it.

<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/1414untitled-med.jpg"></img>

I am waiting to hear from him what part of Texas he found it in, as this may be the deciding factor in and of itself.

Thanks

[C.m.pyrrhus]

The pic is hard to look at the scales...but by going off hand I would say atrox most likely. On a similair note, they sell these southwest postcards near me at a grocery store with a picture of a Mojave on the front. On the back is a small rattlesnake recipe, along with the name of "Crotalus atrox, Western Diamondback Rattlesnake." At least could get the species right huh?

But anyhoo......does he have either the head or tail available at all to see, or a better detailed pic of the skin?

[kevyn]

Well it's either a western or and eastern. I'm with you on this actually in say western. Too bad, looked like a nice snake.

[shaggybill]

I just found out that he found it at the very bottom of Texas near the gulf, so apparently it is a WDB. Also I just read that Mojave's diamonds begin to fade out around 2/3 down the body, while the WDB has them all the way to the tail. If that is true, then the snake in the picture would have to be a WDB.

He actually just told me that he wasnt the one who killed it so he didnt get the head or the tail. But his gf is holding the snake in this picture ( I cropped it), and she's about 5'5", so I believe him on the length issue.

Yeah, it is too bad. I hear 6 footers arent all that common anymore.

[jtpRUGGER]

Looks exactly like an atrox to me. As for the length, when snake skins are 'tanned' they have to be considerably stretched...the skin will stretch considerably farther than the snake itself would be able to...Just thought you might like to let your friend know that the length of the skin exceeds the length of the living snake. That doesn't change the fact that it was still a very large atrox, which is kind of sad-- 6 footers are almost becoming a myth in the wild.

[kevyn]

Skin stretched or not that would have been one big a$$ Mojave.

[crossley]

Mojaves don't get anywhere near that big. Definitely a WDB.

[psilocybe]

I would give my right, no both, my testicles to see a 6 ft. mojave...***hoping no one busts out their 6 ft. mojave***

[Bartman]

LMAO!!

[JD@reptiles]

its a Eastern Daimond Back.

[shaggybill]

Easterns dont reach east Texas. In fact, I read recently they might not exist in Louisiana anymore. Its been 10 years since one has been seen in that state. Which is a shame because they are awesome snakes...

[JD@reptiles]

hmm thats strange... it has a really strong pattern like a eastern would. but i guess it must have been a nice western?

[shaggybill]

yeah, thats what I thought to. I have never seen a WDB in the wild, but all the pictures I've seen show a less distinct pattern. Oh well...