Prairie Rattlesnake

Crotalus viridis

The Prairie Rattlesnake is a cool snake that has a special rattle on its tail! It uses this rattle to warn others when it feels scared. These snakes are usually green or brown and can blend in with the grass.

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The Prairie Rattlesnake has a pale greenish-gray to yellowish base color, covered in dark, often diamond-shaped blotches outlined in white. Its distinct triangular head and the iconic segmented rattle at its tail-tip easily distinguish it from other snakes.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseSquamataOrdenSerpentesFamiliaViperidaeGéneroCrotalus

Prairie Rattlesnake

Categoría

Reptiles

Rareza

Common

Peligro

4/5 · Alto

Snaps

¡Sé la primera persona en hacer un snap!

Datos interesantes

Baby rattlesnakes are born alive and completely ready to hunt on their own!

Each time a rattlesnake sheds its skin, it usually adds a new rattle segment!

Prairie Rattlesnakes can survive months without food, especially during cold hibernation!

They use their forked tongues to 'smell' by picking up scents in the air.

Habilidades especiales

Prairie Rattlesnakes can shake their tail quickly, creating a loud buzz to warn off threats.

Prairie Rattlesnakes have special heat-sensing pits that help them 'see' warm-blooded prey in total darkness.

Prairie Rattlesnakes have mottled scales that help them blend perfectly into dry grasslands and rocky terrain.

Prairie Rattlesnakes possess powerful venom delivered through fangs to quickly immobilize their prey.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 89-152 cm
Peso: 0.5-2.5 kg
Esperanza de vida: 10-20 años
Top Speed: 5 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 4-25

Dieta y alimentación

Prairie Rattlesnakes are carnivores that ambush small mammals and birds using their venomous bite.

Diferencias por edad: Young snakes eat more lizards and insects before switching to mammals.

Alimentos principales

mice
voles
gophers
ground squirrels
rabbits
small birds

Método de búsqueda

Ambush

Conexiones ecológicas

hunts

Deer Mouse

Peromyscus maniculatus

A primary food source in its grassland habitat.

hunts

Meadow Vole

Microtus pennsylvanicus

Another common small mammal it preys upon.

eaten by

Red-tailed Hawk

Buteo jamaicensis

Large raptors occasionally prey on younger snakes.

eaten by

American Badger

Taxidea taxus

Badgers sometimes dig them out of dens to eat.

Rasgos

Manchado

Marcado con manchas o parches de un color diferente.

Solitario

Los animales solitarios viven solos durante la mayor parte de su vida y solo interactúan con otros para aparearse o cuidar de sus crías.

Camuflado

El camuflaje describe a los organismos que poseen colores o patrones que les permiten mezclarse con su entorno.

Pastizal

Los hábitats de pastizales son biomas terrestres dominados por pastos y plantas herbáceas, que sustentan a una variedad de animales de pastoreo.

Depredador de emboscada

Un depredador de emboscada caza esperando pacientemente y ocultándose, para luego lanzar un ataque repentino cuando una presa desprevenida se pone a su alcance.