Tortuga rattlesnake

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Tortuga rattlesnake
Systematics
Subordination : Snakes (serpentes)
Superfamily : Adder-like and viper-like (Colubroidea)
Family : Vipers (Viperidae)
Subfamily : Pit vipers (Crotalinae)
Genre : Rattlesnakes ( Crotalus )
Type : Tortuga rattlesnake
Scientific name
Crotalus tortugensis
Van Denburgh & Slevin , 1921

The tortuga rattlesnake ( Crotalus tortugensis ) is a species of the rattlesnakes ( Crotalus ) within the vipers (Viperidae). Their range is limited to the Mexican island of Tortuga in the Gulf of California .

features

The tortuga rattlesnake is a relatively long rattlesnake with a body length of up to one meter. In terms of color, it is similar to the closely related Texas rattlesnake ( C. atrox ), with only the slightly lighter centers of the back diamonds to be mentioned as a distinction. The basic color is gray to gray-brown with a clear row of diamond-shaped spots on the back ( diamonds ), which are surrounded by light-colored back scales.

distribution and habitat

Distribution area

The range of the snake is limited to the island Tortuga in the Gulf of California , which belongs to Mexico . This is a very dry habitat with a stony bottom. The vegetation consists of cacti and other drought-resistant plants.

Snake venom

There is no information about the specific effects and composition of the poison of this species; it is probably similar to that of the Texas rattlesnake. Research has shown that the average amount of venom released from a bite is only around 56 mg, while it is around five times as high in the Texas rattlesnake at 277 mg.

Hazard and protection

The Tortuga rattlesnake is classified as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List . The snake population is estimated to be stable and in its very small area of ​​distribution it occurs in high numbers . A hazard from natural disasters, humans, domestic animals or neozoa is not assumed on the uninhabited island.

supporting documents

Evidence cited

Most of the information in this article has been taken from the sources given under literature; the following sources are also cited:

  1. ↑ LM Klauber: Rattlesnakes: Their Habitats, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind. Second edition, first published 1956, 1972. University of California Press, Berkeley 1992; ISBN 0-520-21056-5
  2. ↑ Crotalus tortugensis in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2007. Posted by: Frost, DR, 2007. Retrieved on April 4 of 2008.

literature

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

Web links