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Western Rattlesnake
These
snakes vary in size from small to large, ranging in lengths of 16" to
54". These rattlesnakes have darker blotches on a variety of base colors
ranging from reddish, pink, yellow-green, tan, dark gray, to black. The blotches
usually form bands near the tail. The young usually have more prominent blotches
and facial markings than the adults do. Blotches can be very faded in adults and
some adults lack body markings entirely. The rostral scale usually comes into
contact with more than 2 intranasal scales.
These
snakes are found in a variety of habitats in Arizona. These habitats include
grassland, Great Basin Desert scrubland, rocky canyon bottoms of the Grand
Canyon, rolling hills and bajadas in pinion-juniper woodland, and up into pine
forests.
Primarily
diurnal but can be active around the clock when conditions are favorable.
Western Rattlesnakes eat rats, squirrels, mice, lizards, and birds.
These
snakes are found in the northwest portion of Arizona, across the center of the
state along and below the Mogollon Rim, and into some of the higher mountain
ranges within the southern portion of east-central Arizona.