The Prairie Rattlesnake is a venomous species of Pit Viper that is native to the Western United States. Their range also extends into South-Western Canada, and Northern Mexico.
They are a medium sized Rattlesnake that grows to over 3 foot in length. There are stories that these snakes will share burrows with Prairie Dogs but this is not true.
A Prairie Rattlesnake will actually eat juvenile Prairie Dogs if the opportunity presents itself. This rumour likely came about because these snakes will sometimes move into the burrows of Prairie Dogs, once they have left.
These snakes are sometimes referred to as the Western Rattlesnake or the Great Plains Rattlesnake.
Prairie Rattlesnake Taxonomy
The scientific name for the Prairie Rattlesnake is Crotalus viridus. The Crotalus genus contains all the species of Rattlesnake.
All the snakes in the Crotalus genus are venomous Pit Vipers that are only found in the Americas, ranging from Southern Canada to Northern Argentina.
The Name Crotalus comes from a Greek word that translates to Rattle, referring to the distinctive Rattle on the end of these snake’s tail.
There are currently around 50 different recognised species of Rattlesnakes. The exact number is constantly changing as sub-species are getting reclassified to full species level and vice versa.
Some of the more common species of Rattlesnake include the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, Timber Rattlesnake, Pygmy Rattlesnake, Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake and the Massasauga Rattlesnake.
There are two recognised sub-species of Prairie Rattlesnake, the nominate species Crotalus viridus viridus (Prairie Rattlesnake) and Crotalus viridus nuntius which is known as the Hopi Rattlesnake.
There are also a number of different species of Rattlesnake that were once classified as a sub-species of Crotalus viridus but have since been upgraded to species level themselves such as the Arizona Black Rattlesnake.
Prairie Rattlesnake Description
The Prairie Rattlesnake generally grows to a length of 3-4 foot. This can vary slightly depending on locale. Specimens from Montana are often larger than other areas, typically approaching 4 foot in length.
They have a triangular shaped head and narrow neck which is often associated with Pit Vipers. They also have swollen jaws and a blunt nose.
The color and patterning of these snakes can vary depending on locality but they typically have a pale green to grey background color.
They typically have a series of brown or black blotches that extend the length of their body. These blotches are generally outlined with a dark line. This dark line is often outlined further with a white or light colored line.
The belly of the snake is either pale yellow or white in color and doesn’t have any blotching. As with all Rattlesnakes, they have a rattle on the end of their tail.
Baby Prairie Rattlesnakes are actually born without a rattle. They have a piece of ‘skin’ on the end of their tail called a button. When they shed their skin, a new segment is added to the ‘button’. This cycle repeats until the snake has a fully formed rattle.
Distribution and Habitat
The Prairie Rattlesnake can be found throughout the mid-Western United States. Their range extends from South-Western Canada to the North-Western region of Mexico where the Mexican Black Kingsnake can be found.
They are common in states such as Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and New Mexico. They can also be found in North-Eastern Texas.
To the East, their range extends Western Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. To the West, their range extends into Eastern Idaho and Arizona.
The Prairie Rattlesnake can be found in a wide range of habitats from rocky terrain to open fields that are heavily populated with prey. They are typically found at elevations of 100ft to over 2500 feet.
They share some of the same geographical range with species such as the Desert Kingsnake, California Kingsnake and the Arizona Mountain Kingsnake. However, they don’t necessarily share the same habitats with these species.
