barito bajada
Western diamondback rattlesnakeReptiles

Western diamondback rattlesnake

Crotalus atrox

Big, diamond-patterned, with a black-and-white 'coon-tail' above the rattle — the rattler you're most likely to meet, and the one behind most local bites. Stands its ground and buzzes loud. The catch-and-release verdict here is just no. Give it room; most bites come from people deciding to be heroes.

Key

Venomous — treat as a serious bite, get help
Hard no — run, or just don't
Common — you'll see these
Barito Bajada — field notes from the desert