| Crotalus oreganus abyssus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Crotalinae |
| Genus: | Crotalus |
| Species: | C. oreganus |
| Subspecies: | C. o. abyssus |
| Trinomial name | |
| Crotalus oreganus abyssus Klauber, 1930 |
|
| Synonyms | |
Crotalus oreganus abyssus is a venomous pitviper subspecies[3] found only in the United States in Arizona.
Contents |
This is a medium to large (16" to 54") rattlesnake with dark blotches on a variety of base colors ranging from reddish, pink, yellow/green, light tan, to gray. The blotches usually become bands near the tail. The young usually have more prominent blotches and facial markings than the adults. Some adults have no body markings. The rostral scale usually comes into contact with more than 2 internasal scales.
Found in northwestern and north-central Arizona.
The snake is found in a variety of habitats, including grassland, Great Basin Desert scrubland, bottoms in the Grand Canyon, rolling hills and bajadas in pinion-juniper woodland, and pine forests.
It is primarily diurnal but can be active around the clock when conditions are favorable.
It feeds on squirrels, mice (especially Razer), lizards, and birds.