Description: A medium-sized (total length: 120 cm [4 ft]), heavy-bodied
rattlesnake with a wide, triangular-shaped head. Dorsal color harmonizes with the local habitat, varying from nearly patternless light colors to broad bands of rust with gray. Scales are keeled and often flecked with black and white, giving a rough or blurred, speckled effect. The sides of the head are usually gray and contrast with the brown top of the head. The tail is banded with rust and tan or cream rings near the rattle’s base. While other species of rattlesnakes in southern Nevada tend to have more distinct markings on the dorsal pattern, less speckling, and diagonal eye-stripes, definite identification may require close inspection by an expert of the number, arrangement, and size of head scales. Venomous snake.
Diet: Primarily rodents, but large individuals may take small rabbits, whereas
young individuals may feed on lizards until large enough to take rodents. Prey
is subdued with a venomous bite.
Habitat: Pinyon-juniper, sagebrush, Mojave desert scrub, and blackbrush
habitats; in rocky terrain on outcrops and boulders, also on loose soil and sand.
Range: The species occurs in southeastern California, southern Nevada,
southwestern Arizona, and northwestern New Mexico from sea level to 2,450 m
(8,000 ft) in elevation. Two subspecies occur in Clark County, Nevada. The
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake (C. m. pyrrhus), illustrated above, is a
lighter form; it occurs in the central and eastern portions; Panamint Rattlesnake
(C. m. stephensi), a darker form, occurs in the western portion.
Comments: Venomous; an encounter may become a serious health risk.