Mexican pygmy rattlesnake
| Mexican pygmy rattlesnake | ||||||||||||
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Mexican pygmy rattlesnake ( Sistrurus ravus ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Sistrurus ravus | ||||||||||||
| ( Cope , 1865) |
The Mexican dwarf rattlesnake ( Sistrurus ravus ) is a species of the dwarf rattlesnake ( Sistrurus ) that, in contrast to the other two species of the genus, only occurs in the high altitudes of central Mexico.
features
The Mexican dwarf rattlesnake reaches an average body length of about 50 centimeters and is rarely up to 75 centimeters long. The basic color of the snake is usually brown or gray with a pattern of dark or rusty brown spots on the back, which are bordered by narrow rows of black scales and usually become lighter towards the center. The head is not drawn, there is a noticeable pair of spots on the neck.
distribution and habitat
The Mexican dwarf rattlesnake is common in three subspecies in a relatively small area in the highlands of central Mexico . The nominate form S. r. ravus in a large part of this area, S. r. brunneus is on the highlands of Oaxacan and S. r. exiguus limited to the Sierra Madre del Sur in Guerrero .
As a habitat, the snake prefers clearings and grassy areas in mixed pine and oak forests, scrub and in the cloud forest . In addition, they can also be found in other habitats such as scree areas, lava areas or between cacti in desert areas within the range.
Snake venom
Specific effects and ingredients of the venom of this snake are unknown.
literature
- Chris Mattison: Rattlers! - A natural history of rattlesnakes. Blandford, London 1996; 138. ISBN 0-7137-2534-6