The Western Diamond Back Rattle Snake The western diamond back
rattle snake lives in the badlands and semi desert areas of
North America, where its tough skin prevents it fromlosing too
much moisture. It conserves water by excreting thick paste
urine. It adjusts its daily behavior to regulate body heat,
alternately basking in the sun and shade. Water is scarce in the
diamondback’s arid habitat, but the snake has a tough skin that
conserves moisture and a behavior pattern that helps it avoid
the worst of the heat. The rattlesnake’s heat sensing pit organ
guide the snake toward its prey, allowing it to strike with
deadly accuracy even in total darkness. The western diamondback
rattlesnake lives in arid, scrubby semi deserts of the southwest
U.S. from California to Arkansas. Usually found in dry, sandy,
or rocky terrain, the rattlesnake sometimes ventures onto
cultivated land. The diamondback is adapted to surviving in a
barren landscape where less than 1” of rain falls a year. Lack
of water in its dusty range p