Wildlife North America . com
North American Animals - mamals, birds, reptiles, insects

 Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus)

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake | Crotalus mitchellii-pyrrhus photo
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake
Photograph by Chris Brown. License: Public Domain.  (view image details)




Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake | Crotalus mitchellii-pyrrhus photo
Speckled Rattlesnake, San Diego County, CA
Photograph by Athene cunicularia. Some rights reserved.  (view image details)





SOUTHWESTERN SPECKLED RATTLESNAKE FACTS
Description
The Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake varies in color from white to dark grey or shades of pink or orange. It has dark diffused bands on the back. The scales are keeled scales. The head is large. It has salt-and-pepper speckles over the back. The tail has black and white bands that incompletely encircle the tail.

Similar species: Crotalus ruber: Has distinct diamond pattern on back and the black and white tail bands completely encircle tail. Crotalus viridis: Has diamond pattern on back and prominent eye stripe, but does not have black and white tail bands.

Size
Length: 55-100 cm

Environment
rocky hillsides and outcrops

Food
small mammals, lizards, and birds

Breeding
Live-bearing. The young born in July and August.

Range
southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and western Arizona. Mexico in northwestern Sonora and northern Baja California.

Notes
The Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake is venomous and dangerous to humans.

Classification
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata (Serpentes)
Family:Viperidae
Genus:Crotalus
Species:mitchellii pyrrhus
Common Name:Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake


Relatives in same Genus
  Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (C. adamanteus)
  Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (C. atrox)
  Sidewinder (C. cerastes)
  Baja California Rattlesnake (C. enyo)
  Timber Rattlesnake (C. horridus)
  Banded Rock Rattlesnake (C. lepidus klauberi)
  Rock Rattlesnake (C. lepidus lepidus)
  Blacktail Rattlesnake (C. molossus molossus)
  Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (C. oreganus helleri)
  Great Basin Rattlesnake (C. oreganus lutosus)
  Northern Pacific Rattlenake (C. oreganus oreganus)
  Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (C. pricei)
  Red Diamond Rattlesnake (C. ruber)
  Mojave Rattlesnake (C. scutulatus)
  Tiger Rattlesnake (C. tigris)
  Hopi Rattlesnake (C. viridis nuntius)
  Arizona Ridgenose Rattlesnake (C. willardi willardi)







Home | Mammals | Reptiles | Birds | Insects | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Us