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Rattlesnakes are a unique group of venomous vipers. As their name implies, they have a rattle at the end of their tails that they use as a warning to predators. While some rattlesnakes such as diamondback and timber rattlesnakes are more well known, there are actually a large group of different rattlesnakes out there! These beauties are best admired from afar, but still worth learning about. Keep reading to learn about 10 rattlesnakes we share the earth with.
Top 10 List – Rattlesnakes
1. Sidewinder Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus cerastes
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The sidewinder is an interesting rattlesnake that can be found in the desert regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. They are called sidewinder rattlesnakes because of the way they travel over loose sand. Using their bodies to propel themselves sideways, they leave a “J” shaped impression in the sand as they travel. They are also commonly referred to as the horned rattlesnake because of the elongated scales over their eyes that look like horns. A cool fact is that during the cool months they are diurnal (awake during the day), and during hot months are nocturnal (awake during the night).
2. Aruba Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus unicolor
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
These gorgeous rattlesnakes are only found on the Caribbean Island of Aruba, off the coast of Venezuela. They are one of the rarest rattlesnakes, with only about 230 left in the wild. They have a base color of brown, tan, or almost pink. Down their back, they have from white to apricot or grey to brown diamonds.
3. Arizona Black Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus cerberus
Conservation Status: Not Listed
These dark beauties are found in Arizona in the United States. Their color can be various shades, such as dark black, dark grey, red-black, and brown-black. They can also have various amounts of white markings on them. Like all rattlesnakes they are oviparous, meaning they give birth to live babies instead of laying eggs like other snakes. What’s rare about them though is their habit of protecting their young. Unlike other snakes, the Arizona black rattlesnake mother will stay in the nest for 7 – 14 days to protect her young.
4. Red Diamond Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus ruber ruber
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The red diamondback rattlesnake is one of 3 species referred to as Diamondbacks (the other two being the eastern and western diamondback rattlesnakes). They can be found in southwestern California and Baja California in Mexico and inhabit the cooler coastal zone, over the mountains, and into the desert. As their name implies – they can be various shades of red in color. However, when they are born they are grey in color. They only develop their gorgeous red color as they age.
5. Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The Southwestern speckled rattlesnake is another rattlesnake that can be found in the southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. They can primarily be found hanging out in rocky habitats, crevices, and mammal burrows during the heat of the day. Their coloring depends on the color of the ground soil and rocks of their natural habitat. The base color can be pink, brown, grey, yellow, or nearly white. As their name suggests they also have speckles, which can be black and white, as well as other random blotches, stripes, etc.
6. Banded Rock Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus lepidus klauberi
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The banded rock rattlesnake can be found in the Southern United States and Mexico and is on the smaller side of the rattlesnake species. These snakes are secretive, and not often spotted out in the wild. The coloring of the snake can vary depending on the locality of the snake, with various shades of grey and green. Males tend to be the ones with the greener coloring, as well as being larger in size. Over the greys is black banding down their backs, hence their name – banded rock rattlesnake. Crotalus lepidus klauberi (scientific name) was named after respected herpetologist Laurence Monroe Klauber. He described at least 50 new taxa of reptiles and donated a large number of specimens to the San Diego Natural Museum.
7. Mexican Black Tailed Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus molossus nigrescens
Conservation Status: Least Concern
As their name implies, the Mexican black-tailed rattlesnake can be found in Mexico and does indeed have a black tail. They are mostly terrestrial (ground-dwelling) snakes and can be found in the grasslands, rocky and mountainous areas, desert areas, as well as high-altitude forests. Despite being ground-dwelling, they can actually climb trees fairly well and swim rather quickly. Compared to other rattlesnakes they can be quite docile, however, we don’t recommend ever trying to approach one in the wild – they are still very venomous and deadly animals that should be admired from afar!
8. Tiger Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus tigris
Conservation Status: Least Concern
The stunning tiger rattlesnake is another rattlesnake that is from Northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. As their name suggests, they have narrow crossbands running down their back that resemble tiger stripes. Despite having the smallest head of any other rattlesnakes, they have a surprisingly large tail rattle. These rattlesnakes are primarily nocturnal, even in the colder months. They also have the second most toxic venom of any other rattlesnake (the first being the Mojave rattlesnake).
9. Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus catalinensis
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
As their name suggests the Santa Cataline Island Rattlesnake is only found on Isla Santa Catalina, which is just off the east coast of the state of Baja California, Mexico. They have two distinct color variations, both being pictured above. One variant has a light cream base with reddish-brown blotches down their backs, with black and white banding around the tail. The other is a lighter ash grey color, with darker grey blotches down their back, as well as the same black and white banding on the tail. Despite being a rattlesnake the Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake does not have a functioning rattle. Instead of growing a new segment on their rattle every shed, their rattle actually falls off every shed instead. They also do not tend to hide, which is thought to be due to a lack of predators in their habitat.
10. Del Nido Ridge Nosed Rattlesnake
Scientific Name: Crotalus willardi amabilis
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Last but not least we have the beautiful Del Nido ridge-nosed rattlesnake. They can be found in north-central Chihuahua, Mexico. They are mostly found in various pale and dark brown colors, with partial bands and blotches that run along their body. One of their two defining features is the two bold white streaks that run from the sides of their face down to their neck. The second defining feature is what they have been named after. Like other ridge-nosed species, they have distinctive ridges running along each side of their nose, which are a series of upturned scales. They are mostly diurnal, meaning they are awake during the day.
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