Crotalus viridis nuntius
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 Hopi Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis nuntius
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| Crotalus viridis nuntius Klauber, 1935 |
The Hopi Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis nuntius) is a species of venomous rattlesnake native primarily to the desert plateau of the northeastern portion of the American state of Arizona, but also ranges into northwestern New Mexico. Named for the Native American Hopi tribe, which inhabits the region, the Hopi rattlesnake is a subspecies of the Western Rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis, and their range overlaps with other subspecies and some interbreeding is believed to occur. The taxonomy of the C. viridis group is a matter of debate, many considering the various subspecies to be nothing more than locality variations.
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[edit] Description
Smaller than other subspecies of Crotalus viridis, the Hopi Rattlesnake generally does not generally grow much beyond two feet in length. They are typically pink, to grey, to orange-brown in color, reflecting the color of the soil and rocks of their natural range for camouflage, with darker brown blotching down the back.
Like other rattlesnakes, they have eyes with vertical pupils, and their tail has a rattle on it. The rattle is composed of keratin. Each time the snake sheds its skin, a new segment is added to the rattle, but the rattle is fragile and may break off, and the frequency of shedding can vary, so the snake's age cannot be determined by its length or number of segments.
[edit] Behavior
Hopi rattlesnakes are generally nocturnal and secretive, they spend their days in rock crevices or other animal's burrows to avoid the desert heat, emerging in the early day to feed on rodents, birds, lizards, and sometimes frogs.
While not typically aggressive, Hopi rattlesnakes will often coil up and rattle their tail if disturbed. Striking only if harassed or handled. Their venom is primarily hemotoxic, causing swelling and necrosis, but many populations of C. viridis are known to have a potent neurotoxic effect as well, resulting in muscle paralysis and possibly respiratory failure. They capable of delivering what is known as a "dry bite", in which no venom is injected at all, but a bite from any venomous snake should be considered serious, and immediate treatment sought.
[edit] Reproduction
Hopi rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, breeding in the spring and giving birth to small clutches of 4-6 young in the early fall. The young are colored almost identically to the adults, and are approximately 7.5 inches in length. The young are typically more nervous than the adults, and will often strike repeatedly if harassed. They reach maturity between two and three years of age.
[edit] In captivity
The Hopi rattlesnake is not commonly kept in captivity. Due to its relatively small range it is not often collected from the wild. Captive breeding is not unknown, but is not commonplace. The species is well represented in zoos throughout the United States, but other subspecies of C. viridis are more often kept.
[edit] Mythology
- See main article: Snakes in mythology
In Hopi tradition, snakes are the guardians of springs. A traditional dance is done as a prayer to bring the rain. Snakes, though not exclusively the Hopi rattlesnake, are used in the ceremony and are released afterwards with the belief that they carry the prayers of the dancers with them.
[edit] References
- Discover Life: Crotalus viridis
- Douglas, Douglas, Schuett, Porras & Holycross 2002. Phylogeography of the Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) Complex, With Emphasis on the Colorado Plateau. p11-50.
- Pook, Wüster & Thrope 1999. Historical Biogeography of the Western Rattlesnake: Crotalus viridis, Inferred from Mitochondrial DNA Sequence Information.
