What percentage of total prey weight did small mammals account for in the Texas study of Crotalus atrox?
Answer
94.8% of the total prey weight
A comprehensive study conducted on the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake within Texas specifically determined that small mammals formed the overwhelming majority of the caloric intake, representing an astounding 94.8% of the total weight of prey consumed. This high proportion underscores the species' specialized focus on warm-blooded, dense prey items like rodents and lagomorphs, which form the foundation of its diet in those regional ecosystems.
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