| Crotalus tortugensis | |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Viperidae |
| Subfamily: | Crotalinae |
| Genus: | Crotalus |
| Species: | C. tortugensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Crotalus tortugensis Van Denburgh & Slevin, 1921 |
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| Synonyms | |
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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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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]
Tortuga Island diamond rattlesnake,[2] Tortuga Island rattlesnake,[4] Tortuga diamond rattlesnake.[6]
Found only on Tortuga Island, Baja California Sur, in the Gulf of California, Mexico. The type locality is "Tortuga Island."[1]
It lives in barren, rocky, desert terrain, sparsely covered with brush and cacti.[2]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Even though most recent authors consider this taxon to be distinct, it may actually be conspecific with C. atrox.[1]