Crotalus tortugensis
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| Crotalus tortugensis Van Denburgh & Slevin, 1921 |
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Crotalus tortugensis is a venomous pitviper species found only on Tortuga Island in the Gulf of California. No subspecies are currently recognized.[5]
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[edit] Description
This species is smaller than its close relative, C. atrox, with large males not growing to much more than 100 cm in length. The largest specimen on record is 105.8 cm (Klauber, 1972). Compared to C. atrox, the head is shorter relative to the length of the body -- a trait considered to be an indication of dwarfing, which is common in island populations.[2]
The color pattern consists of a gray to gray-brown ground color, occasionally with a slight purplish or pinkish hue, overlaid dorsally with a series of 32-41 dark brown to purplish brown blotches running down the length of the body. The blotches are hexagonal or diamond shaped, marked with black spots, and bordered with irregular black mottling.[2]
[edit] Common names
Tortuga Island diamond rattlesnake,[2] Tortuga Island rattlesnake,[4] Tortuga diamond rattlesnake.[6]
[edit] Geographic range
Found only on Tortuga Island, Baja California Sur, in the Gulf of California, Mexico. The type locality is "Tortuga Island."[1]
[edit] Habitat
Lives in barren, rocky, desert terrain, sparsly covered with brush and cacti.[2]
[edit] Conservation status
This species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[7] Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend is stable. Year assessed: 2007.[8]
However, this it is threatened due to its limited range, even though it is common on the island.[9]
[edit] Behavior
Although Van Denburgh reported that they would rattle vigorously when approached, it has been described as being less excitable than C. atrox, its mainland relative.[3]
[edit] Feeding
Its diet apparently consists of mice. Several specimens from the island are reported to have contained mammal hair, and a white-footed mouse, Peromyscus dickeyi, is common on the island.[3]
[edit] Venom
Klauber (1997) gives an average venom yield of 56 mg for this species. For comparison, the same study yielded an average of 277 mg for C. atrox.[3]
[edit] Taxonomy
Even though most recent authors consider this taxon to be distinct, it may actually be conspecific with C. atrox.[1]
[edit] See also
- List of crotaline species and subspecies
- Crotalus by common name
- Crotalus by taxonomic synonyms
- Crotalinae by common name
- Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
- Snakebite
[edit] References
- ^ a b c McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ a b c d e Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
- ^ a b c d Klauber LM. 1997. Rattlesnakes: Their Habitats, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind. Second Edition. First published in 1956, 1972. University of California Press, Berkeley. ISBN 0-520-21056-5.
- ^ a b Crotalus tortugensis at Rattlesnakes. Accessed 23 March 2007.
- ^ Crotalus tortugensis (TSN 585830). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved on 23 April 2007.
- ^ Ditmars RL. 1933. Reptiles of the World. Revised Edition. The MacMillan Company. 329 pp. 89 plates.
- ^ Crotalus tortugensis at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 13 September 2007.
- ^ 2001 Categories & Criteria (version 3.1) at the IUCN Red List. Accessed 13 September 2007.
- ^ Crotalus tortugensis at San Diego Natural History Museum. Accessed 23 April 2007.
[edit] External links
- Crotalus tortugensis at the TIGR Reptile Database. Accessed 12 December 2007.
- Crotalus tortugensis, incl. brief info and picture, at San Diego Natural History Museum. Accessed 23 April 2007.
