MOJAVE RATTLESNAKE

Scientific name: Crotalus scutulatus

Size

The average size of a mature Mojave Rattlesnake is 3 - 4 feet in length, with some getting as large as 5 feet.

Description

The Mojave Rattlesnake is a heavy, thick-bodied snake. The body of the snake is brown, grey, or sometimes olive-greenish or even yellow. Diamond-shaped blotches outlined in a cream color form a pattern along the snake's back. The diamond pattern fades into a banding pattern at the tail end of the Mojave Rattlesnake. The end of the tail ends in a series of black and white rings, with the white rings being wider than the black stripes. The end of the tail has a rattle on it.

There is a cheek-stripe on both sides of the head that starts at the eye and runs diagonally down and backwards above the mouthline. This stripe is outlined on both sides by cream-colored edges.

The Mojave Rattlesnake has elliptical pupils that look like cat's eyes and like all pit vipers, has a heat-sensing pit between the nostril and eye on each side of its head. The Mojave Rattlesnake has a large, triangular head that is wider than the neck when viewed from above.

Distribution

In the United States, the Mojave Rattlesnake is found in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.
Map of US states the Mojave Rattlesnake is found in.
Map does not show area of true distribution, only the states in which there is a population.
Actual distribution in any highlighted state may be limited.

Mojave Rattlesnake
Photo used by permission:
© 2003 William Flaxington

For more information on venomous snakes, please see the Venomous Links page.

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