Mojave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
Family: Viperidae Order: Squamata Class: Reptilia
DISTRIBUTION, ABUNDANCE, AND SEASONALITY
The Mojave rattlesnake is widely distributed throughout the Mojave and extreme northern
Colorado deserts. It is found from 150 to 1500 m (500 to 5000 ft) in elevation in most
desert habitats,
especially
desert cactus scrub,
desert wash, and
Joshua tree,
and is most common in
association with
creosote.
It seems to prefer desert flats over hilly or canyon habitat. This
species is active from April until September (Stebbins 1954, Klauber 1972).
SPECIFIC HABITAT REQUIREMENTS
Feeding: This snake feeds upon
rodents (especially Dipodomys),
lizards, other
snakes,
birds, bird eggs and some
insects
(Klauber 1972). It forages actively in the open and under
bushes.
Cover: The Mojave rattlesnake takes cover in burrows, presumably rodent burrows, as
well as under desert bushes (Woodin 1953, Klauber 1972).
Reproduction: This species uses burrows, presumably rodent burrows, for giving live birth
to young (Woodin 1953).
Water: Probably not required.
Pattern: The Mojave rattlesnake occurs throughout the Mojave Desert in a variety of
habitats but is most common in scrub communities, especially creosote. It seems to prefer
desert flats or very gentle slopes with few rocks.
SPECIES LIFE HISTORY
Activity Patterns: This snake is primarily nocturnal, but occasionally is crepuscular. It is
active from April until September. In hot years, it may become inactive in mid-summer and
may, or may not, re-emerge in fall (Stebbins 1954, Klauber 1972).
Seasonal Movements/Migration: Probably does not migrate.
Home Range: No data.
Territory: No data.
Reproduction: Young are live-born in July and August. Litters range 2-11 and average 8
young (Klauber 1972).
Niche: This species is probably taken by
kingsnakes,
roadrunners,
and other avian and mammalian predators.
General Comments: This is probably the most dangerous snake in North America. It is
aggressive, fairly large-bodied, and has a complex venom composed of hemolytic and
neurotoxic elements. It is responsible for several deaths each year, including in recent years
a prominent snake toxin expert. This snake should be avoided.
REFERENCES
Klauber, L. M. 1972. Rattlesnakes: their habits, life histories, and influence on mankind.
2nd ed. Univ. California Press, Berkeley. 1533pp.
Price, A. H. 1982. Crotalus scutulatus. Cat. Am. Amphibians and Reptiles 126.1-126.2.
Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill,
New York. 536pp.
Woodin, W. H. 1953. Notes on some reptiles of the Huachuca area of southeastern
Arizona. Bull. Chicago Acad. Sci. 9:285-296.
California Department of Fish and Game. California Interagency
Wildlife Task Group. 2005. California Wildlife Habitat Relationships version 8.1 personal computer program. Sacramento, California.
Mojave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
The often mis-named "Mojave Green" has the most
potent venom of any rattlesnake in North America. Its poison
is about 16 times more powerful than that of the Sidewinder.
They can be identified by their triangular-shaped head and diamond-shaped
markings along their body, and of course, rattles. They are brown in color
in the lower elevations and darken to a green in the higher regions near
the mountains. Their eggs hatch within them so anywhere from 4 to 24 baby
snakes are born live in a litter.
The Mojave rattlesnake is the most dangerous of rattlesnakes in the Mojave Desert. Its venom, which it uses to
immobilized its prey and defend itself, attack both the nervous system with nuerotoxins and the bloodstream
with hemotoxins. It looks similar to a diamondback rattlesnake, having diamond shapes along its back. It’s
color will vary from green-gray in higher, mountain elevations, to yellowish tones found more often in the
lower portions of it's range. Adults range from 2-4 feet in length. The creosote bush, found in the 2,000 to
4,000 foot elevation is the primary, but not the only habitat of this snake. They feed primarily on small rodents.
It will not come looking for trouble, nor will it run from it!
WILDLIFE VIDEO > Mojave Green
Also see > Predator: Carnivore: Diurnal
Habitat:
Cactus-Yucca Scrub
Creosote Scrub
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