Baja rattlesnake

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Baja rattlesnake
Baja rattlesnake (Crotalus enyo)

Baja rattlesnake ( Crotalus enyo )

Systematics
Subordination : Snakes (serpentes)
Superfamily : Adder-like and viper-like (Colubroidea)
Family : Vipers (Viperidae)
Subfamily : Pit vipers (Crotalinae)
Genre : Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus )
Type : Baja rattlesnake
Scientific name
Crotalus enyo
Cope , 1861

The Baja rattlesnake ( Crotalus enyo ) is a species of rattlesnake ( Crotalus ), whose range is limited to Baja California and some of the islands off the peninsula.

features

The Baja rattlesnake is a small rattlesnake with an average body length of around 50 centimeters, but in individual cases it can be up to 80 centimeters long. The snake has a comparatively small and narrow head and a relatively large tail rattle. The basic color can vary in different shades of gray or brown, the striking pattern consists of reddish to yellowish brown, round spots with a black border. On the flanks there are smaller and less distinct spots that are directly below the main spots. The over-eye shields are pulled up slightly and form a slight crest over the eyes, which is not as pronounced as in the sidewinder rattlesnake ( C. cerastes ).

distribution and habitat

Distribution area

The range of the Baja rattlesnake covers almost all of Baja California in Mexico . The species is also found on some islands in the Gulf of California and on the islands of Santa Margarita and Magdalena off the peninsula's Pacific coast.

As a habitat, the snake uses dry, stony areas of the Baja desert, where cacti and other succulents occur as vegetation.

Snake venom

Specific effects and ingredients of the venom of this snake are unknown.

Systematics

There are currently three subspecies of the Baja rattlesnake:

  • C. e. cerralvensis on Isla Cerralvo
  • C. e. enyo on the Baja California peninsula south of El Rosario and on the islands of the Gulf of California and the offshore islands
  • C. e. furvus on the Baja California peninsula north of El Rosario

literature

  • Chris Mattison: Rattlers! - A natural history of rattlesnakes. Blandford, London 1996; P. 108; ISBN 0-7137-2534-6

further reading

Web links

Commons : Crotalus enyo  - album with pictures, videos and audio files