Rattlesnake Facts And Myths Exposed

Of all the snakes I’ve studied and researched, the rattlesnake is one of the most remarkable. As with many venomous snakes, there are probably more myths, misunderstandings and exaggerations regarding these reptiles than there are facts.

Today I’d like to answer the most common questions that I come across, and share with you some of the best rattlesnake facts in order to dispel the many misconceptions about these awesome predators!

At the end of this article I’ll give you a fairly comprehensive list of all the rattlesnake species along with their location and additional information about each one.

Are Rattlesnakes the most lethal snake in the North America?

North America may not be home to snakes as deadly as many of the ones found in Australia, but we do have something they don’t. Rattlesnakes.

Are rattlesnakes the most lethal snake in North America? Rattlesnakes are one of the most lethal snakes in North America, but they are not the most venomous. In fact they’re not even the second most venomous! The yellow-bellied sea snake is the most venomous snake in North America, though there have been no reported bites.

The second most venomous snake is the coral snake (both the eastern and western). It is considered to have some of the strongest venom in the world.

Rattlesnakes ARE considered more dangerous than either of these snakes however.

This is due to several factors.

Yellow-bellied sea snakes hardly ever come out of the water and are rarely encountered. Even when they are encountered they are unlikely to bite.
Coral snakes rarely bite either, and when they do, their small fixed fangs are unlikely to pierce both clothing and skin.
Rattlesnakes inject venom in large doses through their large fangs, whereas coral snakes have to actually work the venom into their victim. They do this by hanging on while they work their jaws with a chewing motion. This means that a coral snake will rarely, if ever, inject a large dose of venom in a single bite.
Rattlesnakes are much better camouflaged and harder to spot, making it more likely for you to accidentally step on one and get bitten, which is how an estimated 60% of rattlesnake bites occur.
Rattlesnakes are more widely spread throughout North America than any other venomous snake.
Rattlers are more aggressive than either of these species as I show in the article Are Rattlesnakes Aggressive?

Do Rattlesnakes Always Inject Venom?

It is estimated that around 25% of rattlesnake bites are “dry bites”, meaning no venom is injected.

Additionally, protective clothing such as boots and jeans reduces the chance of venom being injected since they add an extra layer of protection.

How Many People Die Per Year From Rattlesnake Bites?

There is no official list that details every snake bite, or which species it came from.

How many people die per year from rattlesnake bites? While the exact number of deaths from rattlesnake bites is not known, we can postulate that it is probably only one or two at most. Less than five people per year die from snakebites in the U.S. This would include bites from every native venomous snake species, as well as non-native species from private collections.

Overall there are an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 venomous snake bites per year in the U.S. with the number one culprit being the copperhead. I cover this snake in an article titled How Deadly Is The Copperhead Snake?

Besides the fact that the majority of bites come from species other than rattlers, rattlesnake antivenin is readily available and with it, there is a greater than 99% chance of recovery.

Can Rattlesnakes Climb Trees?

Rattlesnakes are not arboreal, however they do have the capability to climb trees.

It is rare that they will do so, but not unheard of. Timber Rattlers specifically are known to occasionally climb trees, especially when they are young, but still do not do so very often.

Will Rattlesnakes Chase You?

Think about this for a moment. A rattlesnake is a creature that evolved a warning system specifically designed to alert you to their presence so that you don’t get near them.

Their distinctive rattle isn’t used for mating, and it certainly doesn’t help them hunt and catch food. It is only there to warn you to stay away!

Will a rattlesnake chase you? No, rattlesnakes will not chase you. They are a sluggish and slow moving snake, which would prefer to get away rather than risk their life facing you. In fact it is estimated that for every rattlesnake you spot, there were 3-5 more that you passed and didn’t see. When they sense you approaching they are most likely to move away and hide.

A rattlesnake simply wants to get away from you safely.

Stories of people being chased by snakes are typically either their imagination, or sheer coincidence of both the person and the snake trying to get away at the same time and accidentally choosing the same direction to flee.

This is much like you and another person meeting in a hallway and trying to pass one another multiple times as you each move to the same side seemingly together.

If you run away from a rattlesnake and look back, you will find that it is not chasing you.

One other factor that may cause people to believe a snake is chasing them, is if the snake comes towards you to bite.

Typically a snake will either flee or hold its ground, but if it feels extremely threatened the snake may lunge forward multiple times in an attempt to bite you or scare you off.

Can Rattlesnakes Jump?

No, rattlesnakes can not jump. They can however, strike anywhere from half to two thirds of their body length.

Since they are often found in rocky or wooded areas, if a snake were to be perched on a rock or a fallen log and strike at you, it might unintentionally fall off and look like it’s jumping!

What Are Rattlesnake Rattles Made Of?

Rattlesnake rattlers are made out of the same things you fingernails are made of! They are actually interlocking rings of keratin. If you were to look inside of these rattles, you would see that each one is made of three segments, so each separate ring you see actually has two other segments inside of it.

Small, interlocking pieces of dried up keratin may not seem like enough to create that loud distinctive rattle, but keep in mind that they shake their rattle at rates of around 50 times per second.

Cool fact!

They can maintain their rattling for up to 3-4 hours!

Will A Rattlesnake Die If It Bites Itself?

This is actually a pretty common question that I hear from people/

Will a rattlesnake die if it bites itself? Yes, a rattlesnake will die if it bites itself and injects enough venom. Many people believe that rattlesnakes are immune to their own venom, but that’s not true. If a rattlesnake were to bite itself and inject venom directly into its blood stream, it would suffer the same effects as its prey.

This rarely, if ever, happens though since a snake’s venom does not automatically come out every time they bite something.

They have to consciously use muscles in their jaws to squeeze the venom gland and inject the venom; something they are unlikely to do if they bite themselves.

So what about if it accidentally injects some venom into it’s inner mouth, lips etc…in the heat of battle?

This probably happens sometimes. Scientists believe that snakes do build up at least a low level of immunity to their own venom due to this.

How Do Rattlesnakes Ingest Their Own Poison Without Dying?

So I just told you that a rattlesnake will die if it injects itself with venom.

You must be wondering, when a snake kills it’s prey by biting and injecting it, why doesn’t it effect the snake when they then eat the prey?

How do rattlesnakes ingest their own poison without dying? The first thing to understand is that snakes are not poisonous, they are venomous. There is a distinct difference between the two. Poisons are ingested, while venom is injected directly into the blood stream. When a snake ingests its own venom, the acids in its stomach break down the venom before it has the chance to enter the blood.

Do All Rattlesnakes Rattle?

No, not all rattlesnakes rattle their tails.

In fact the Santa Catalina rattlesnake is a species that doesn’t even have a rattle.

Here are a few more reasons why they may not rattle.

Since the rattle tail of a rattlesnake is simply keratin formed from the dead shed skin of the snake, it can become damaged and fall off.
Some rattlers are born with an abnormality that causes the rattle to never form.
The number one reason a rattlesnake may not rattle is to not warn you of their presence. As stated earlier, they would rather move away undetected if possible. There are several species known for rarely rattling in order to keep from being noticed.

How Often Do Rattlesnakes Shed?

Baby and juveniles shed more often than adults.

Juveniles may shed three or more times a year, adults 1-2 per year, older adults less than once per year.

That being said, it is largely determined by how fast the snake grows. Things such as the availability of food, weather, temperature, stress and other factors can determine a snakes growth rate.

When food is plentiful and the weather is warm, the snake will grow faster.

Do Rattlesnakes Only Live In Hot/Arid Areas?

Most people usually think of rattlers as living in these types of environments. The old west is often synonymous with rattlesnakes.

Do rattlesnakes only live in hot, or arid areas? No. Rattlesnakes can be found in cool areas, mountainous areas, tropical places, islands, rain forests, etc… You can find rattlesnakes in each of the lower 48 states, as well as further south down to Central America, and even as far north as southern Canada!

There are a wider variety of rattlers in hotter places such as Arizona and down into Mexico, and they are definitely more abundant, but they can still be found in nearly any environment.

Here are a few examples of their wide range.

Prairie rattlers can be found at elevations up to around 8,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains.
The Aruba Island rattlesnake is a species found on the tropical island of Aruba
There are three different species native to Canada, and a fourth which has become locally extinct (the timber rattler), but is being reintroduced to its native habitat.
The sidewinder rattlesnake has developed a specific means of locomotion to move through desert sands.
The tropical rattlesnake gets its name from living in the tropical areas of central and south America.

Can Rattlesnakes Swim?

What can make one of the most dangerous snakes in North America even scarier? Put it in water, and see it thrive!

Can rattlesnakes swim? Rattlesnakes are great swimmers! Despite being most well known for living in dry and arid areas, rattlesnakes readily take to water and have been known to chase prey or flee from predators in lakes and rivers.

Don’t avoid the lakes and rivers just yet though. Despite rattlesnakes being great swimmers, they do refer dry land.

Are Rattlesnakes Protective Of Their Nests And Young?

I often hear people say that if you see a baby snake, the mother is close by. Is this fact or myth?

Are rattlesnakes protective of their nests and young? Rattlesnakes do not protect their nests or babies. There is no scientific evidence that supports the belief that rattlesnakes exhibit any paternal instincts in any way. Baby rattlers are born completely self sufficient.

Adults do not protect their “nests” since they do not have them, but they will typically use a den that they consider home.

This is for their own use however, and no forethought is given to their young.

Do Rattlesnakes Lay Eggs?

Rattlesnakes do not lay eggs, but they do hatch from them! These snakes are ovoviviparous which means rather than laying eggs, the eggs are carried inside of the mother’s body and actually hatch inside of her. She then gives birth to live young.

Rattlesnakes typically give birth to between 10-20 young, which are around 10” long. Gestation periods vary, with some species giving birth around 90 days, and others lasting as long as 5 ½ months.

The babies are self sufficient from birth, and the mother does not look after them.

Rattlesnakes in southern regions normally give birth in late summer or early fall, while northern rattlers give birth in late spring. Females mate on average once every 2-5 years.

Are Juvenile Rattlesnakes Deadlier Than Adults?

Some people believe that juvenile snakes don’t have control over the muscles controlling their venom glands, and as a result they inject all of their venom when they bite you.

Others believe that juvenile rattlesnake venom is more toxic.

Are juvenile rattlesnakes deadlier than adults? Juvenile rattlesnakes are not deadlier than adults. This is just a myth. In fact, the opposite is true. Baby rattlesnakes are actually less lethal than their adult counterparts. Their venom is less potent, and they inject a smaller amount due to their much smaller size.

Here are the facts.

Snakes have complete control of the muscles that inject venom from the time they are born. They do not “accidentally” inject more venom due to inexperience.
The number one deciding factor in the amount of venom injected is the size of the snake. Simply put, a smaller snake will have less venom to inject.
Juvenile rattlesnake venom isn’t necessarily more lethal than an adult’s. It is however, made up of toxins that are typically faster acting than an adult’s.
In addition to the amount of venom injected into you during a bite, another major determining factor into its effect is how fast you receive treatment. Receiving medical treatment for a venomous snake bite as fast as possible is crucial to reducing the effects regardless of the age of the snake.

Are Rattlesnakes More Active During The Day Or At Night?

Ironically enough, I have heard myths and stories from both sides of this question.

Some people believe it’s more dangerous to go out at night in an area known to contain rattlesnakes, while others believe they relish the hot beating sun.

Are rattlesnakes more active during the day, or at night. Rattlesnakes can actually be active at any time, day or night. The key to their activity level is the temperature. Rattlesnakes are most active when temperatures are between 80 and 90 degrees. For species that live in hot areas, this means they are active during the day in times like spring or fall, and at night in the hot summer months.

Rattlesnakes have heat sensing pits which allow them to sense the thermal body heat of their prey rather than depending solely on sight or smell.

When Do Rattlesnakes Sleep?

Since snakes have no eyelids, it is hard to determine exactly when they are sleeping.

Some snakes are strictly nocturnal while others are strictly diurnal so studies can be performed to see their activities, breathing patterns etc…during times when you would assume they were asleep.

Rattlesnakes on the other hand, change their patterns with the seasons.

Sometimes they may even change day to day depending on the temperature. This makes it extremely hard to study exactly when they are sleeping.

Adding to the difficulties is the fact that these snakes are ambush predators. They will often lay motionless for days at a time waiting for food to come by.

When do rattlesnakes sleep? Scientists have noticed periods where a rattlesnake seems to be slightly less alert, and have shallower/slower breathing. These periods of potential sleep typically last for two to four hours, and can happen during the day or at night.

They are also more likely to sleep after eating.

Do Rattlesnakes Hibernate?

Rattlesnakes do not hibernate, they go into a period of brumation which is basically a reptiles version of hibernation. They do this when the day time temperatures begin dropping below 60 degrees or so. During the brumation period, rattlesnakes go into dens.

These can be rocky crevices, caves, burrows, hollowed out trees or anywhere else where they can find shelter and get out of the elements.

They will usually use the same dens year after year, and often times share their space with other rattlesnakes in order to stay warm.

Sometimes several hundred at a time!

Their dens aren’t always exclusive to rattlesnakes either. You might find other snakes, turtles or amphibians in a rattlesnake den.

Since snakes are cold blooded animals, they depend on their environment to regulate their body temperatures. Their bodies begin to slow down and they become sluggish as temperatures cool.

This is why they go into brumation right around 60 degrees.

Unlike hibernation, the rattlesnake is not asleep.

At times when it warms up, they will often move around a little bit and drink some water. On days when it is sunny and above 60, they will come out and bask in the sun, then go back to their den as it cools.

Rattlesnakes may not survive the brumation period either.

If it is a long period, like over the winter, they need to have eaten and digested a good meal or they may starve.

If their food hasn’t digested yet by the time they enter brumation, the food in their stomach may rot and kill the snake.

Which Animals Feed On Rattlesnakes?

While rattlesnakes are fierce predators, they are not always at the top of the food chain.

This is especially true of juvenile rattlers, who are still small and not able to protect themselves as well as adults.

Depending on their geographic location, rattlesnake predators include the following.

King snakes – a species of snake that feeds on other snakes
Hawks and other predatory birds such as owls
Weasels
Ravens
Crows
Skunks
Raccoon
Opossums
Coyotes
Fox
Sometimes even adult rattlesnakes

Are Rattlesnakes Found In Europe Or Asia?

In the snake kingdom you have “old world” snakes, and “new world” snakes.

New world snakes are ones only found in the Americas. Old world snakes are the ones from everywhere else.

Are rattlesnakes found in Europe or Asia? No. Rattlesnakes are only found throughout the Americas. Their range includes most elevations below the snow line in mountainous areas. They can be found as far north as southern Canada and as far south as Argentina in South America.

The vast majority of rattlesnakes however, are found in the southwestern portion of the United States and the northern half of Mexico.

What Is The Lifespan Of A Rattlesnake?

Rattlesnakes kept in captivity have been known to live in excess of 30 years.

The oldest one I’ve ever heard of was a Pacific rattlesnake named Striker. You can read about him here https://www.sacsplash.org/post/striker-rattlesnake

The average life expectancy of a rattlesnake in captivity is 20-30 years.

They have a shorter life span of 10-20 years in the wild however, due to things like predators and a harsher life style.

Let’s be honest. It’s much easier to live in a climate controlled enclosure while supplied with regular meals!

How Many Different Types Of Rattlesnakes Are There?

There are approximately 30 different species of rattlesnakes around the world, with more yet to be discovered.

This list grows even larger if you include the more than 80 recognized subspecies.

The largest concentration of rattlers is found in the southwest United States and northern Mexico.

You can’t give an exact number however, because sometimes there are disagreements between authors as to what might be considered its own species versus a subspecies.

Additionally, new snakes are being discovered all the time!

With that in mind here is a list of the known species of rattlesnake, where to find them, and additional info about each species. I have made it as complete as possible.

This list is ordered alphabetically by the most common name each species is known by.

Crotalus cerberus – Common names: Arizona black rattlesnake, black rattlesnake. Found in the southwestern United States, what sets this snake apart from other rattlesnakes is the fact that mothers seem to look after their young for the first week or two after they’re born. There are no recognized subspecies.
Crotalus unicolor – Common names: Aruba Island rattlesnake, Aruba rattlesnake. These snakes are only found in the southeastern half of the island of Aruba. Listed as critically endangered, it is estimated that there are fewer than 250 adults in the wild making this one of the rarest rattlesnakes in the world. There are no recognized subspecies, however some authors do consider this snake to be a subspecies itself of the South American Rattlesnake.
Crotalus lannomi – Common names: Autlan rattlesnake – Found in southwestern Mexico near the Mexican states of Colima and Jalisco. Not much is known about this species. In fact it is listed as “Data Deficient” on the IUCN Red List because there is not enough information about its population to make a determination about the number in existence. There are no recognized subspecies.
Crotalus enyo – Common names: Baja rattlesnake, Baja California rattlesnake, Lower California rattlesnake. Located on the Baja peninsula along the northwest coast of Mexico in addition to islands along the same coast, this snake can also be found on islands along the Gulf of California. There are currently four recognized subspecies for this rattlesnake. They are the Cerralvo Island rattlesnake, the Lower California rattlesnake, the San Esteban Island black-tailed rattlesnake and the Rosario rattlesnake. The Cerralvo Island rattlesnake may soon be considered its own species rather than a subspecies.
Crotalus molossus – Common names: Black-tailed rattlesnake, green rattler, northern black-tailed rattlesnake. This species lives in the United States in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas, as well as throughout much of Mexico. Considered to be a fairly docile snake, there are very few reported bites from this species. Three subspecies are recognized. They are the Mexican black-tailed rattlesnake, the Northern black-tailed rattlesnake and the Oaxacan black-tailed rattlesnake.
Crotalus transversus – Common names: Cross-banded mountain rattlesnake. These snakes have only been found in a tiny portion of central Mexico. Little is known about this snake since only around 20 of them have been recorded. They are small, typically measuring less than 18 inches. There are no recognized subspecies.
Crotalus adamanteus – Common names: Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. They are the largest rattlesnake species, and the heaviest (though not the longest) venomous snake found in the Americas. These snakes can be found throughout the southeastern parts of the United States ranging from North Carolina down to southern Florida, and as far west as Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Crotalus stejnegeri – Common names: Long-tailed rattlesnake. Found only in western Mexico around the mountainous areas of Sinaloa, Durango and Nayarit, this small rattler only grows to around two feet with a tail that makes up over 10% of its overall length. They are listed as Vulnerable on the (*****LINK*****) IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. No subspecies are recognized.
Sistrurus catenatus – Common names: Massasauga rattlesnake. One of the most northern reaching snakes, this species can be found as far north as southern Ontario Canada and western New York, all the way down to northern Mexico. Although it is currently listed as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, it is listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species act. There are three recognized subspecies which are the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the desert massasauga rattlesnake and the western massasauga rattlesnake.
Crotalus triseriatus – Common names: Mexican dusky rattlesnake, dusky rattlesnake. This small rattlesnake grows to an average length of around 2 feet. They are found in central Mexico from the east coast to the west coast. They have one subspecies which is the western dusky rattlesnake.
Crotalus polystictus – Common names: Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake, lance-headed rattlesnake. Located in central Mexico, this species grows to between two and three feet long. No known subspecies are currently listed. On a more personal note, I think this is one of the most beautiful species of rattlesnake!
Crotalus ravus – Common names: Mexican pigmy rattlesnake. Found only at higher elevations between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, this snake is only located in the mountainous areas of southern and south central Mexico. There are three recognized subspecies which include the Oaxacan pygmy rattlesnake, the Guerreran pygmy rattlesnake and the central Mexican pygmy rattlesnake.
Crotalus intermedius – Common names: Mexican small-headed rattlesnake. This snake can be found scattered throughout a few locations around southern Mexico. Three subspecies are currently known. They are the Oaxacan small-headed rattlesnake, Omilteman small-headed rattlesnake, and the Totalcan small-headed rattlesnake.
Crotalus basiliscus – Common names: Mexican west coast rattlesnake, Mexican green rattler. Found mostly along the coastal plains along western Mexico, this large rattlesnake grows to approximately five feet in length and has very potent venom. This very dangerous snake has no known subspecies.
Crotalus simus – Common names: Middle American rattlesnake, Central American rattlesnake. “simus” is Latin meaning “flat-nosed” which is where these snakes get their name. They grow an average of four to five feet in length, with the longest one ever recorded reaching nearly six. They can be found throughout central Mexico from the Pacific all the way to the Atlantic. Three subspecies are recognized. They are the northwestern neotropical rattlesnake, the Middle American rattlesnake and the Yucatan rattlesnake.
Crotalus scutulatus – Commons names: Mojave rattlesnake. Known to have some of the most potent rattlesnake venom in the entire world, this species is also considered highly aggressive. They can be found in the United States in southeastern California, southern Nevada, southern New Mexico, eastern Texas and throughout much of northern and central Mexico. There are two subspecies which are the Huamantlan rattlesnake and the Mojave rattlesnake.
Crotalus viridis – Common names: Prairie rattlesnake, western rattlesnake and Great Plains rattlesnake. This snake has a wide range spanning from southwestern Canada to northern Mexico. A lightly colored snake with brown patches down its back, they grow to an average length of between three and a half to four and a half feet. There are two recognized subspecies which are the hopi rattlesnake and the prairie rattlesnake.
Sistrurus miliarius – Common names: Pygmy rattlesnake. These snakes can be found from eastern Texas and Oklahoma to the Atlantic Ocean throughout Florida and South Carolina. They are a rather small species of rattlesnake that doesn’t produce much venom. Bites are known to be painful, but no deaths have been reported. The three recognized subspecies are the dusky pygmy rattlesnake, the Carolina pygmy rattlesnake and the western pygmy rattlesnake.
Crotalus aquilus – Common names: Queretaran dusky rattlesnake, Queretaro dusky-rattlesnake. Mostly located in a small region of central Mexico, this short, thick bodied rattler is usually under two feet in length. No known subspecies are recognized.
Crotalus ruber – Common names: Red diamond rattlesnake, red rattlesnake. You will only find these snakes along the Baja California peninsula in both California and Mexico, as well as on various islands in the Gulf of California. They are moderately large with average lengths of over three feet. The largest one ever found just over five feet long. These snakes are typically reddish in color lending to their name, and are only mild venomous. They are still dangerous however, and all bites should receive professional medical attention! There are three known subspecies. They are the Cedros Island red diamond rattlesnake. The San Lucan red diamond rattlesnake and the nominate which is the red diamond rattlesnake.
Crotalus willardi – Common names: Ridge-nosed rattlesnake, Willard’s rattlesnake. These snakes are found at higher elevations in the extreme southern United States, and from northern Mexico down to the southern parts of central Mexico. They are the official state reptile of Arizona in honor of Frank Cottle Willard from Tombstone Arizona, the person to discover them. They are a smaller sized rattlesnake, typically only measuring between one and two feet in length. There are five recognized subspecies. The Del Nido ridge-nosed rattlesnake, the southern ridge-nosed rattlesnake, the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake, the Chihuahuan ridge-nosed rattlesnake and the Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake.
Crotalus lepidus – Common names: Rock rattlesnake. Located in states such as Arizona, New Mexico and southwestern Texas in the United States, this snake’s territory stretches as far south as northern central Mexico. They are less aggressive than other species of rattlesnakes, rarely striking unless threatened and often times hiding rather than rattling. There are four recognized subspecies. These include the Banded rock rattlesnake, the mottled rock rattlesnake, the Durango rock rattlesnake and the Tamaulipan rock rattlesnake.
Crotalus lorenzoensis – Common names: San Lorenzo Island rattlesnake. This snake isone of only two species of rattlesnake that are known for not typically having a rattle. They are not endangered, though their population is fairly small due to their isolated geographic location which is an island in the Gulf of California known as Isla San Lorenzo Sur. No subspecies are recognized.
Crotalus catalinensis – Common names: Santa Catalina rattlesnake, Catalina Island rattlesnake, Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake. This species of rattlesnake is perhaps most renowned for NOT having a rattle! This snake lives in a rather isolated geographic location and can only be found Isla Santa Catalina which is in the Gulf of California. There are no subspecies.
Crotalus cerastes – Common names: Sidewinder rattlesnake, horned rattlesnake. This species prefers desert climates and can be found in those areas in Arizona, California, southern Nevada and southwestern Utah as well as in northwestern Mexico. They’re called “sidewinders” because of the way they move, and they have fairly mild venom compared to other rattlesnake species. There are three known subspecies. They are the Colorado Desert sidewinder, the Mojave Desert sidewinder, and the Sonoran Desert sidewinder.
Crotalus durissus – Common names: South American rattlesnake, tropical rattlesnake. Also known as the neotropical rattlesnake, this species has a very wide range throughout South America, however its range is very spotty. It has numerous isolated populations throughout northern South America. There are seven subspecies for this snake. Since not all of them have common names, I will give the scientific name for each of them, and list the available common names when appropriate: 1.) C. d. cumanensis – Venezuelan rattlesnake. 2.) C. d. durissus – South American rattlesnake. 3.) C. d. marajoensis – Marajon rattlesnake. 4.) C. d. maricelae – no common name. 5.) C. d. ruruima – no common name. 6.) C.d. Terrificus – Cascavel. 7.) C. d. trigonicus – no common name. This snake and all of its subspecies are highly venomous, and their bite can cause serious damage to its victim.
Crotalus mitchellii – Common names: Speckled rattlesnake, Mitchell’s rattlesnake. This is another species found in the American southwest and northern Mexico, as well as throughout the islands located along the Gulf of California. There is ongoing debate as to the number of subspecies for this snake.
Crotalus pyrrhus – Common names: Southwestern speckled rattlesnake, Mitchell’s rattlesnake. Even though it shares a common name with the Crotalus mitchellii listed above, this snake is considered its own species. The debate regarding which are full species and which are subspecies however, is also tied to this snake.
Crotalus pusillus – Common names: Tancitaran rattlesnake. As one of the smaller rattlesnake species, this snake is typically less than 20 inches long. It is classified as Endangered due to its very small and fragmented range in west-central Mexico. There are no recognized subspecies.
Crotalus tigris – Common names: Tiger rattlesnake. Considered the most toxic of all rattlesnake species, the tiger rattlesnake ranges from central-southern Arizona through northwestern Mexico. Stripes along their body give them their name, though they are also known for having one of the smallest heads of any rattlesnake species. This means they also have a relatively low venom yield which is fortunate considering how potent it is. No subspecies are currently recognized.
Crotalus horridus – Common names: Timber rattlesnake, banded rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake. One of the most northern species of rattlesnake is the timber rattler. These snakes can be found as far north as Minnesota and New Hampshire, and as far south as northern Florida. At one point in time they were also native to southern Ontario and Quebec, but are now considered extirpated in Canada, which basically means locally extinct. Studies are currently underway to reintroduce this snake to those areas. There are currently no recognized subspecies.
Crotalus totonacus – Common names: Totonacan rattlesnake. Previously considered a subspecies of South American rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus), this snake can be found in northeastern Mexico. They grow to an average of five feet in length. There are no recognized subspecies.
Crotalus pricei – Common names: Twin-spotted rattlesnake. These rattlers can be found in a narrow strip of north-central Mexico, extending north to the southeastern tip of Arizona. They are a smaller species, typically measuring less than two feet in length. There are two recognized subspecies which are the eastern twin-spotted rattlesnake, and the western twin-spotted rattlesnake.
Crotalus vegrandis – Common names: Uracoan rattlesnake. Found only in Venezuela, this small rattlesnake grows to an average of two feet in length. There are no recognized subspecies.
Crotalus oreganus – Common names: Western rattlesnake, Oregon rattlesnake, Pacific rattlesnake. Like the Massasauga rattlesnake, this species can also be found as far north as Canada. These snakes live along the west coast and can be found in southwestern Canada as well as most of the western states from Idaho to California, down into northern Mexico. There are six recognized subspecies. Grand Canyon rattlesnake, Coronado rattlesnake, midget faded rattlesnake, southern Pacific rattlesnake, Great Basin rattlesnake, northern Pacific rattlesnake.
Crotalus atrox – Common names: Western diamondback rattlesnake, Texas diamond-back. Enjoying an extremely wide range, it is believed that the western diamondback rattlesnake is responsible for the most snakebites in the United States, and for the most snakebite related deaths in the northern half of Mexico. They can be found as far west as southern California all the way over to central Arkansas, and from southern Kansas all the way down to central Mexico. There is one recognized subspecies, the Tortuga Island rattlesnake.

Conclusion

Rattlesnakes are considered a “new world” snake since they are only found in the America’s.

Despite that, they are renowned the world over for their distinctive rattle and adaptability to all kinds of environments.

From mountainous areas between 5,000 and 10,000 feet to lowlands. From colder areas like southern Canada to hot arid deserts and tropical forests, these snakes have been able to adapt to all kinds of environments.

These are awesome creatures that are often misunderstood and wrongfully feared by many people.