One of the less known parts of DuPuis is the Powerline Grade along the eastern perimeter. A one way trip is 13 miles long and can be traveled on foot, bike, horse, or car. As the name implies, the shellrock road parallels high tension power lines running south from the FPL Indiantown plant. The southern half of the road runs between a canal (with many resident alligators) and the adjacent Corbett WMA. You may also see otters, deer, birds and various Florida fauna. Bringing your camera is recommended. Happy caching!
The eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) is a venomous pit viper found in the southeastern United States. It is the heaviest venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake. Average size is about 5 ft long and 5 lbs in weight, but rare specimens can be over 7 ft and weigh over 15 lbs. Eastern diamondbacks prefer drier areas and often use gopher tortoise burrows, but they are excellent swimmers and will range into swampy areas.
Diamondbacks are so named because of their distinct color patterns: two to three dozen black diamonds on an otherwise brownish body, with lighter colored bellies. The rattlesnake portion of their name comes from their distinctive segmented rattle at the end of their tail which they will often shake as a threat display.
Rattlesnakes are not usually aggressive. They prefer to save their venom for prey (mostly small mammals like rats and rabbits and occasionally small birds), but will bite if they feel sufficiently threatened. Strikes are not always preceeded by warning rattles. Their venomous is highly dangerous even for adults and emergency treatment should be sought immediately.
Predators include indingo snakes, king snakes, and large birds of prey.