Mexican Black-Tailed Rattlesnake

ANIMAL:
Mexican Black-Tailed Rattlesnake   Crotalus nigrescens

Type of Animal:
Viper

Habitat:
Grassland, desert, rocky areas, mountainous areas, woodland, high-altitude forest, riparian corridors in rugged terrain, semi-desert, semidesert/desert grassland, plains, desert scrub, oak/pine-oak forest, spruce-fir forest, mixed conifer forest, foothills, upper bajadas, rocky slopes, oak savanna, dunes, boreal forest, rocky stream beds, canyons, valleys

Location(s):
Mexico in S Sonora, SW Chihuahua, S Coahuila, S to Oaxaca, Veracruz, & Tlaxcala

Appearance:
Noticeable black tail, dark band between eyes, diagonal dark stripe from eye to corner of mouth, females have larger/thicker tails, reddish-brown, darker vertical crossbands

Food/Diet:
Rodents, rabbits, weasels, birds, lizards, other snakes, amphibians, insects

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Breeding from zoos & private breeders

Lifestyle:
Solitary

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young-Snakelet
Group-Solitary

Weight:
Male-1.5 lbs
Female-2 lbs

Gestation:
5-7 months 

Life Span:
15-20 years

Body Length:
Male-2.5 ft
Female-3.5 ft

Tail Length:
Male-0.5 ft
Female-0.7 ft

Main predators are hawks, eagles, owls, falcons, coyotes, bobcats, larger snakes, & foxes.

Each time snake sheds skin, new segment added to rattle.

Nocturnal in summer & diurnal in spring & fall.

Hibernates in winter, sometimes w/ other snake species.

Like many rattlesnakes, venom is hemotoxic, destroying red blood cells, disrupting blood clotting, and/or causing organ degeneration/generalized tissue damage.

Breeding occurs in spring.

Females give birth to 3-12 live young.

Sexually mature at 4 years old.

Uses Jacobson’s organs in mouth to detect chemicals/scents/tastes.

Leather used for bags, belts, wallets, footwear, purses, & jackets.

In the past, the oil/fat was used to reduce swelling, aches, & pains.

Like most rattlers, they’re ambush predators.

Fun Fact(s):
Their venom has been used in scientific research to produce antivenin.

Even though highly venomous, they’re highly docile.

They play important role in keeping rodent populations in check.

Like many rattlers, they’re killed out of fear.

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