Wildlife

Arizona Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnake Facts

• Scientists have identified 36 rattlesnake species
• Rattlesnakes live only in North and South America
• 13 species live in Arizona, more than any other state
• Rattlesnakes use the “loreal pit,” a heat-sensing organ between the nostril and eye to locate prey and potential predators
• These snakes have glands that make venom, much like human saliva glands make saliva
• The rattle is made of keratin, the same material found in human hair and fingernails
• The age of a rattlesnake cannot be determined by counting the segments of its rattle
• Rattlesnake prey may include small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and centipedes
• According to Arizona Poison Centers, less than 1% of rattlesnake bites result in human deaths

Rattlesnake Species

Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus)

• Up to 22″ long
• One of the rarest rattlesnakes in Arizona
• One of four rattlesnake species with special protection in Arizona

Mohave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)

• Up to 50″ long
• Widely considered most toxic rattlesnake in U.S.
• Easily confused with Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake

Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)

• Up to 64″ long
• Reportedly used in famous Hopi snake
  dance ritual

Sidewinder Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes)

• Up to 25″ long
• Travels in side-winding motion
• Only rattlesnake with horns over eyes

Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchelli)

• Up to 51″ long
• Color can vary greatly from nearly white to pink, gray or brown
• Color often matches their surroundings

Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei)

• Up to 26″ long
• Small rattle sounds like insect
• One of four rattlesnake species with special
  protection in Arizona

Tiger Rattlesnake (Crotalus tigris)

• Up to 35″ long
• Small head doesn’t hold much venom, but venom is powerful

Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)

• Up to 26″ long
• Gets its name from raised ridge of scales around front of snout
• Arizona Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake is official state reptile
• One of four rattlesnake species with special protection in Arizona

Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

• Up to 66″ long
• Largest rattlesnake in the West
• Most commonly encountered rattlesnake in Arizona

Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus)

• Up to 48″ long
• Color can vary greatly from brown or beige to green or golden yellow

Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus)

• Up to 42″ long
• Young are vividly patterned and can look very different from adults

Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)

• Up to 63″ long
• Has venom twice as strong as Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake, but produces less venom

Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus)

• Up to 33″ long
• Young use brightly colored tail to attract prey, but tail changes color as snake gets older
• One of four rattlesnake species with special protection in Arizona