A North Pacific rattlesnake.
Rattlesnakes are venomous vipers native to North, South, and Central America. All rattlesnakes have large, triangular heads, jointed rattles at the end of their tails, and pits in their faces that can sense the heat of prey. When threatened, rattlesnakes wag their tails and make a rattling sound to alert intruders. There are many varieties of rattlesnakes, including timber rattlesnakes, diamondback rattlesnakes, sidewinders, and pygmy rattlesnakes.
Thirteen species of rattlesnakes live in Arizona and ten live in Texas.
The timber rattlesnake, or crotalus horridis, displays a variety of coloration including black, brown, yellow, and gray. All timber rattlesnakes are characterized by dark bands on their backs that are usually in the shape of chevrons. This band can be subtle in black specimens. Mature timber rattlesnakes reach a length of 50 to 60 inches (127 to 152 centimeters). Also known as cane fields, these rattlesnakes have a wide range in the United States (US), inhabiting the Midwestern, Central, and Eastern states.
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is considered one of the most dangerous snakes in North America.
There are several varieties of diamondback rattlesnakes, named for the diamond-shaped pattern on their backs. Western diamondbacks, or crotalus atrox, are found in Mexico and the southwestern United States. These snakes are commonly called Texas Diamondbacks. Adults have thick bodies and can reach 152 centimeters in length. The western diamondback is responsible for the largest number of venomous snake bites in the country.
The western diamondback is responsible for the largest number of venomous snake bites in the United States.
Crotalus adamanteus, or the eastern rattlesnake, inhabits the southeastern United States. It is the largest known species of rattlesnake and has a wide body that can weigh up to 10 pounds (4.54 kg) at maturity. The largest specimen ever found was 96 inches (244 centimeters) long, but the average adult is usually 33 to 72 inches (84 to 183 centimeters) long.
A person who has been bitten by a rattlesnake may go into shock.
Sidewinders, or cerastes crotalus, are noted for their unusual method of locomotion. Unlike other rattlesnakes, the Sidewinder has raised scales above its eyes that resemble horns. This earned it the nickname of the horned rattlesnake. It is small compared to other rattlesnakes, with adults reaching a length of 15 to 30 inches (38 to 76 centimeters). Sidewinders inhabit the southwestern United States and are light in color, displaying light shades of yellow, beige, cream, and pink.
The sistrurus miliarius, or pygmy rattlesnake, is even smaller, with adults reaching a length of 15 to 22 inches. Although the pygmy rattlesnake reacts like any other rattlesnake, wagging its tail to give a warning when it feels threatened, its rattles are so small that they usually cannot be heard. Pygmy rattlesnakes are found in Georgia and the Carolinas. They can display patterns in gray, red, orange, lavender, and brown.