The Mojave rattlesnake is a highly venomous pit viper found in the southwestern United States and central Mexico. The venom of this snake is believed to be the strongest of any other rattlesnake in the world. Currently, there are two recognized subspecies of the species.
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| Mojave Rattlesnake(Pit Viper) |
- Kingdom Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Subphylum Vertebrata
- Class Reptilia
- Order Squamata
- Suborder Serpentes
- Family Viperidae
- Subfamily Crotalinae
- Genus Crotalus
- Scientific Name Crotalus scutulatus
The Mojave rattlesnake's venom has a powerful neurotoxin that can attack the nervous system, and its hemotoxins attack the blood. Mojave rattlesnakes average between 2 and 4 feet in length and are commonly found in a variety of arid habitats. They prefer sparsely vegetated desert plains, including creosote shrubs, cactus, mesquite and Joshua Groves. From April to September, snakes are most active at night and at dusk.
Distribution:
This snake ranges from southern Nevada to Puebla, near the southern edge of the Mexican plateau; From the western edge of California's Mojave Desert to the extreme west of Texas.
Habitat:
Mainly desert highlands and low mountain slopes snakes. Habitats range from barren deserts to grasslands and shrubs.
Color:
Well-defined light-edged diamonds or hexagons line the middle of the back. The light scales of the pattern usually unmarked and light-colored. Ground color is a greenish grey, olive-green, or occasionally brownish or yellowish. A white to yellowish stripe from behind the eye to behind the corner of the mouth. Tail with contrasting light and dark rings.
Behavior:
Although it is similar to the Western rattlesnake, its venom is much more toxic, making the Mojave rattlesnake one of the most dangerous venomous snakes in the United States.
Reproduction:
These are live snakes that usually give birth to between 2 and 11 young. The cubs are 9 to 11 inches long at birth.
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