Crotalus oreganus
Crotalus oreganus | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Crotalus |
Species: | C. oreganus
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Binomial name | |
Crotalus oreganus Holbrook, 1840
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Synonyms | |
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Crotalus oreganus (commonly known as the western rattlesnake) is a species of venomous Pit viper. There are currently six subspecies recognized, not including the nominate subspecies.
Description[change | change source]
The Western Rattlesnake is a large species of the Crotalus.They can reach to the size of 100 centimeters (39 in) in length, but the longest ever found was the size of 162.6 centimeters (64 in). They are usually dark brown, dark gray, or olive brown in color, covered with dark blotches and uneven white edges.
Feeding[change | change source]
The Western Rattlesnake eats mainly rodents like the mouse, the rat, and the squirrel, but it also eats rabbits and small birds.
Common Names[change | change source]
Some of the Western Rattlesnakes names included the "Northern Pacific Rattlesnake", the "Black Diamond Rattlesnake", the "Arizona Diamond Rattlesnake", the "California Rattlesnake", the "Hallowell's Rattlesnake",and the "Oregon Rattlesnake".
Where they live[change | change source]
The Western Rattlesnake is found in North America, from southwestern Canada, western U.S.A, and northern Mexico.In Canada it is found in southern British Columbia. In the U.S.A it is found in Washington, Oregon, western and southern Idaho, California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. In northern Mexico it is found in western Baja California.
Subspecies[change | change source]
- Grand Canyon Rattlesnake, C. o. abyssus
- Coronado Island Rattlesnake, C. o. caliginis
- Arizona Black Rattlesnake, C. o. cerberus
- Midget Faded Rattlesnake, C. o. concolor
- Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, C. o. helleri
- Great Basin Rattlesnake, C. o. lutosus
References[change | change source]
- ↑ Hammerson, G.A.; Frost, D.R. & Hollingsworth, B. (2007). "Crotalus oreganus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T64326A12769216. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T64326A12769216.en.
- ↑ McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ↑ Ashton KG, de Queiroz A. 2001. Molecular systematics of the western rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis (Viperidae), with comments on the utility of the d-loop in phylogenetic studies of snakes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, Vol. 21, No.2, pp. 176-189. PDF Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine at CNAH. Accessed 3 September 2008.
Other websites[change | change source]
- Crotalus oreganus at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 12 December 2007.