What is Arizona Black Rattlesnake?

 Arizona black rattlesnake is a poisonous pit viper occurring in the southwestern United States. The pitviper subspecies is mainly diurnal, but in favorable conditions, it can be active at night also. Like other pit vipers, the snake makes use of heat sensing pits located on each side of the face to detect prey and predators.

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Subphylum: Vertebrata
• Class: Reptilia
• Order: Squamata
• Suborder: Serpentes
• Family: Viperidae
• Subfamily: Crotalinae
• Genus: Crotalus
• Species: Crotalus oreganus
• Scientific Name: Crotalus oreganus cerberus

Description

The Arizona black rattlesnake is a high-elevation medium-sized (<1,000 mm) rattlesnake found primarily in Arizona and extreme western New Mexico. Adults are dark brown or black in background color, with white- or yellow-edged barker hexagonal blotches. Juveniles are born with a grey background and dark blotches. Arizona black rattlesnakes are typically found in pine-oak woodlands or chaparral habitats. At high elevations, they appear to rely on south, west, or east-facing blocky volcanic outcrops surrounded by talus, to survive freezing winter temperatures. In lower deserts, the species appears restricted to cool, moist drainages, and may favor hibernation locations with northern or western aspects.

Coloration

Dark grayish, brownish black, blackish or reddish brown ground color covered with dorsal pattern of uneven patches that are rectangular near the front of the body turning subhexagonal towards the back.

Habitat

Arizona Black Rattlesnake is found across the central mountains of the state from below the Colorado River in northwestern Arizona. It is also found at elevations ranging from about 4,000' to over 9,000', in or near rocky drainages with permanent or semi-permanent water. This pit viper is also encountered on open, rocky slopes.

Diet

Arizona Black Rattlesnake uses heat-sensing pits to detect warm-blooded predators and prey, such as rats, squirrels, mice, lizards, and birds. This pit viper injects venom through long, hollow, retractable fangs to kill and begin digesting its prey. 

Reproduction

Arizona Black Rattlesnake appears to produce 4 to 21 youngs a year. The babies are usually born between August-October. The babies are able to take care of themselves immediately and require no parental care. They are from 22-28 cm long when born and are already venomous.