mojave rattlesnake (Phoenix Zoo - Arizona Trail)

mojave rattlesnake

Crotalus scutulatus

Summary ⁷

Crotalus scutulatus (common names: Mohave rattlesnake,Mojave green,) is a venomous pit viper species found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and central Mexico. It is perhaps best known for its potent neurotoxic venom. Two subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

Range description ⁸

The species' range extends from southern California, southern Nevada, and southwestern Utah south through Arizona (Lowe et al. 1986), southern New Mexico (Degenhardt et al. 1996), western Texas (Tennant 1984) in the United States, and central Mexico to near the south end of the Mexican Plateau in Puebla and adjacent Veracruz (Stebbins 2003, Campbell and Lamar 2004). Its elevational range extends from sea level to around 2,530 m asl (8,300 feet) (Stebbins 2003); above 1,800 m asl at the southern end of the range (Campbell and Lamar 2004).

Iucn red list assessment ⁹

Red List Category

Least Concern

Red List Criteria

Version

3.1

Year Assessed

2007

Assessor/s

Mendoza-Quijano, F. & Hammerson, G.A.

Reviewer/s

Cox, N., Chanson, J.S. & Stuart, S.N. (Global Reptile Assessment Coordinating Team)

Contributor/s

Justification

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.