If you live in the Southwestern range of the deadly snakes known as the Mojave and the Western diamondback, then you probably already know that they are both very dangerous. Knowing the difference between the two is also very important because the Mojave has a very different type of venom. This difference can be deadly if you receive the wrong type of antivenom. For this reason, you should know the difference between these two dangerous snakes. Here is a guideline to use of differences:
- The mojave usually has white and black bands on the tail. The white bands tend to be larger than the black. The western also has this pattern, but he bands tend to be the same size.
- The mojave sometimes takes on a greenish tint in color, whereas the western diamondback does not.
- The western diamondback tends to be a good deal larger, but this is misleading because of variance in ages.
- The mojave lacks the banding around the eyes that the western normally has.
- Both species are highly aggressive and bite readily.
- Both species are dangerous particularly in spring, when they arise from hibernation and are hungry.
- The mojave tends to bite first and rattle later. The western diamondback usually will warn the rattle in advance. This is far from one hundred percent, but just a general observation based on case studies.
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