Species: Crotalus oreganus
Encyclopedia of Puget Sound
Western rattlesnakes have a horny rattle or button on the end of the tail, numerous small scales on the top of the head, a head that is much broader than the neck; and an infrared sensing pit on each side of the face between (but lower than) the eye and nostril. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from light tan or pink to black, usually with large blotches along the back and sides and bands around the tail. Usually a light stripe extends from behind the eye to the corner of the mouth. The scales on the back and sides are keeled. THe pupilof the eye is vertically elongate in bright light (like a cat's eye). These snakes rarely exceed 3.3 feet in total length. In eastern Utah, southwestern Wyoming, and west-central and southwestern Colorado, adults rarely exceed 26 inches (65 cm). Newborn young are about 7-9 inches (18-24 cm) in total length. Primary source: Hammerson (1999).
Classification
Reptilia
Squamata
Viperidae
Crotalus
NatureServe
Classification
Ecology and Life History
Western rattlesnakes have a horny rattle or button on the end of the tail, numerous small scales on the top of the head, a head that is much broader than the neck; and an infrared sensing pit on each side of the face between (but lower than) the eye and nostril. Coloration is highly variable, ranging from light tan or pink to black, usually with large blotches along the back and sides and bands around the tail. Usually a light stripe extends from behind the eye to the corner of the mouth. The scales on the back and sides are keeled. THe pupilof the eye is vertically elongate in bright light (like a cat's eye). These snakes rarely exceed 3.3 feet in total length. In eastern Utah, southwestern Wyoming, and west-central and southwestern Colorado, adults rarely exceed 26 inches (65 cm). Newborn young are about 7-9 inches (18-24 cm) in total length. Primary source: Hammerson (1999).