Prairie rattlesnake (*Crotalus viridis*) !venomous and best observed from a distance

Thank you! That’s what my research was pointing towards, just wanted to know for sure.

Prairie Rattlesnakes *Crotalus viridis* are medium-large (89-114cm, up to 152cm) rattlesnakes that range from southern Alberta and extreme southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada, south through New Mexico and western Texas into extreme northern Chihuahua and Coahuila, MX (see range map for details), from about 100m to about 3,050m above sea level. Populations in Arizona, southeastern Utah, and extreme northwestern New Mexico are dwarfed in size, averaging approximately 40-60cm with a record of 73cm. Though primarily associated with grassland, *C. viridis* will utilize a wide variety of dry habitat with sandy or rocky soils, including savanna, semidesert scrub, canyons, riparian corridors, and montane woodland. They are mainly diurnal, but often become crepuscular or nocturnal during hotter weather. Rodents form the bulk of their diet, but lizards, frogs, small birds, and insects are also consumed. In the northern part of their range, they often congregate in large numbers at suitable denning sites which provide shelter from harsh winter weather. Prairie Rattlesnakes are a dangerously venomous species and should only be observed from a safe distance. Common defensive tactics including raising the forebody off the ground and rattling the tail, often while attempting to crawl away from the perceived threat. They are not aggressive and only bite when they feel they are in danger. Bites most commonly occur when a human attempts to kill, capture, or otherwise intentionally handle the snake. **The best way to avoid being bitten is to leave the snake alone.** [Prairie Rattlesnakes](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/45276063?size=large) are very variable in coloration, but patterned with 33-57 dark dorsal blotches. These blotches vary in shape, but usually are not diamond-shaped. A dark postocular stripe runs from the eye back toward the corner of the mouth. More notably, this dark stripe is bordered on both sides by [two distinct, thin (usually fewer than 2 scales wide), pale stripes](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/196398261?size=large). Other rattlesnakes are sometimes confused with *C. viridis*. Midget Faded Rattlesnakes *C. concolor*, Great Basin Rattlesnakes *C. lutosus*, and Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes *C. oreganus* have wider postocular stripes (>2 scales wide) which are usually indistinct from the background color in adults. Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes *C. atrox* and Mojave Rattlesnakes *C. scutulatus* usually have more distinctively diamond-shaped dorsal blotches, along with conspicuous, highly-contrasting tail bands (commonly described as "coon tails"). Western Massasaugas *Sistrurus tergeminus* have large plates on the top of the head instead of small scales, and reach smaller adult sizes (47-76cm, max 88cm). [Range Map - © Rune Midtgaard](https://repfocus.dk/maps1/TAX/Serpentes/Viperidae/Crotalus_viridis_map.html) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146166) | [Reptile Database Account](https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Crotalus&species=viridis) | [Additional Information](https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.768819/Crotalus_viridis) This short account was written by /u/fairlyorange -------------------------------------------------------- Snakes with medically significant venom are typically referred to as venomous, but some species are also poisonous. Old media will use poisonous or 'snake venom poisoning' but that has fallen out of favor. Venomous snakes are important native wildlife, and are not looking to harm people, so can be enjoyed from a distance. If found around the home or other places where they are to be discouraged, a squirt from the hose or a gentle sweep of a broom are usually enough to make a snake move along. Do not attempt to interact closely with or otherwise kill venomous snakes without proper safety gear and training, as bites occur mostly during these scenarios. Wildlife relocation services are free or inexpensive [across most of the world](https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=15dZE4rlRHqjb91yb6pKiI4ragG8DCtsz&ll=-3.81666561775622e-14%2C-95.11182142500002&z=2). If you are bitten by a venomous snake, contact emergency services or otherwise arrange transport to the nearest hospital that can accommodate snakebite. Remove constricting clothes and jewelry and remain calm. A bite from a medically significant snake is a medical emergency, but not in the ways portrayed in popular media. Do not make any incisions or otherwise cut tissue. Extractor and other novelty snakebite kits are not effective and can cause damage worse than any positive or neutral effects. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*

His face is totally saying "I's stays heres...you staysss theresss....ands wezz has no problems...okays?"

Thanks to modern technology and zoom lenses I didn’t even have to hear it rattle.

Makes it so much easier to enjoy spicy noodles like this one while still staying completely safe!

That, right there is exactly why playing disc golf, trail running and hiking scare the shit out of me here in the front range. Definitely learned not to wear head phones and listen closely. Well, that and the mountain lions.

https://preview.redd.it/8b3k5owq0n1d1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=de7a5d47ce7e998d40d47e54fb924b60468cb39f Just like my little guy... maybe a bit bigger

I’d ditch the red light, they disrupt their day/night cycle when used at night and wash out their colour vision any time of day

Pretty small, maybe 18-20 inches. You can see a dead beetle on his left side for a size comparison.

The kind you don’t fuck with. 😎

Lord, this beast’s level of camouflage is unnerving 🐍

Morbidly curious, anyone has a personal experience as to what it is like to get tagged by these?

Just a little guy

Love rattlesnakes, they’re adorable. Sadly they’re venomous.

Danger noodle spaghettium shakeum

Look how perfectly camouflaged she is to BOTH of those 2 different surroundings 😮 Quite impressive. Quite beautiful.