ANIMAL: Prairie/Western Rattlesnake Crotalus viridus Type of Animal: Viper Habitat: Prairies, grasslands, savanna, brush, chaparral, woodlands, forests, caves, rock ledges, streamsides, haylands, croplands, pond sides, wetlands, dry rocky areas, desert margins, chaparral-covered foothills, plains, rocky ridges, desert, mountain meadows, valleys, watercourses, arid basins, wooded/forested mountains, mountainous areas, hilly areas Location(s): SE Alberta, SW Saskatchewan, areas of Idaho bordering Montana, Montana (except NW region), C & E Wyoming, most of Colorado except for some of W, far SE Utah, parts of E Arizona, most of New Mexico, W Texas, W Oklahoma, W Kansas, Nebraska (except for much of E), S & far W S Dakota, W N Dakota, & parts of N Mexico bordering US Appearance: Light colored w/ brown hues, younger animals lighter, patches of dark brown in dorsal pattern, color band at back of eye, triangular head, many animals greenish gray/greenish brown, Hopi subspecies pink to gray to orange-brown, young lack rattle having button instead. Food/Diet: Prairie dogs, ground squirrels, mice, rats, rabbits, birds (especially ground birds), amphibians, other snakes, lizards, gophers Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding from zoos, wildlife parks, & reptile breeders Lifestyle: Solitary or in groups of up to 15 individuals (especially during denning/hibernation) Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young-Snakelet Group-Rhumba/Den Weight: Male-16 oz Female-14.08 oz Gestation: 3-4 months Life Span: 16-20 years Body Length: Male-3 ft Female-2.5 ft Young-1 ft Tail Length: 1 ft Main predators are bobcats, foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls, falcons, bears, pigs, eagles, wolves, skunks, corvids, kingsnakes, badgers, otters, & roadrunners. Females give birth to 1-25 live young a year, giving birth from August-early October. Venom primarily hemotoxic w/ some neurotoxic properties. Sexually mature at 2.5 years old. Hibernate in winter & sometimes as early as late September. Often dens w/ bullsnakes, blue racers, & garter snakes (which they sometimes eat). People kill them out of fear & for meat. Fun Fact(s): Striking distance usually 1-2 feet away. Like all venomous snakes, they’re born w/ venom. These rattlesnakes not aggressive & only bite when cornered/molested. They use rattle as warning.
