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California's Premier Native Zoo and Garden
Founded in 1980 and opened to the public in 1983, CALM displays and interprets native California animals, plants, fossils, and artifacts to teach a respect for all living things through education, recreation, conservation, and research.

HOURS:
Open daily; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 
Admissions and gift store close at 4:00 p.m.
Winter hours: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.; November through January.  Admissions and gift store close at 4:00 p.m.

Closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year's Day.

CALM ADMISSION:
Adults $7
Seniors $5
Students with ID $4
Children 3-17 $4
Children under 3 years of age are admitted FREE

Special Group rates available with a minimum 2 week advance reservation.

Call 661-872-2256 for more information.



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Red Diamond Rattlesnake

COMMON NAME: Red Diamond Rattlesnake

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Crotalus ruber ruber

DESCRIPTION:

VENOMOUS

This rattlesnake normally displays a non-aggressive demeanor. The red diamond rattlesnake is a large, heavy-bodied snake. It typically has a red coloration but varies from pink to a dull reddish tan. It has diamond-shaped blotches down the middle of its back and the tail base is encircled with black and white rings. Its scales are keeled. Adults average 2 to 4 1/2 feet in length. The largest recorded specimen was 5 feet 5 inches long.

LIFE HISTORY:

Breeding normally takes place from February to April. Five to 12 young are born 5 months later. Newborns (neonates) are 11 to 14 inches in length. This snake has been recorded to live 19 years in captivity.

ECOLOGY:

Niche: The red diamond rattlesnake primarily eats rodents (rabbits, ground squirrels, rats, etc.) Juveniles will eat lizards and nestling rodents and birds. Usually on the prowl, this rattlesnake often coils and waits near a rodent trail.

Habitat: This rattlesnake is found in boulder-strewn grasslands, arid scrub, thick chaparral, and open oak and pine woodlands, from sea level to 5,000 feet.

ADOPT THIS ANIMAL

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Snakes, a Natural History edited by Roland Bauchot. ISBN# 0-8069-0654-5
Rattlesnakes by Laurence M. Klauber. ISBN# 0-520-04039-2

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