Anyone keeping Eastern Diamondbacks?

[Roadtrash]

What is the largest EDB on record? Or for that matter is there an actual record kept of these animals? I remember many years ago the large ones were easy to find but today they are few and far between.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by Roadtrash

What is the largest EDB on record? Or for that matter is there an actual record kept of these animals? I remember many years ago the large ones were easy to find but today they are few and far between.

Largest in captivity or in the wild, or both?

Various sources state this species can get up to 8 feet, but finding a wild specimen that large is like finding a wild python over 20 ft. Between habitat destruction, roundups and "persecution-killings," you are correct; the bigger ones are very rare. Any rattler over 4-5 ft makes the local news, and usually spreads like wildfire across the internet.

Now...in captivity, I dunno. As far as anyone keeping a record or database, I don't think so. If I recall correctly, Paul Moody claimed in a radio interview that he had a female that was getting close to the 8 ft mark. This was 2 years ago.

Also, EDBs were on the list of species to be evaluated for possible inclusion to the Endangered Species Act. I don't think there si any further developments on this currently, but hopefully studies will commence, if the EDB is added, this will end all roundups in the southeast, and help conserve the species.