# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Snaps:** 12 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Prairie Rattlesnake](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Crotalus_viridis_nuntius.jpg&width=800) Photo: CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crotalus_viridis_nuntius.jpg) ## Appearance 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Viperidae - **Genus:** Crotalus ## Interesting facts - 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. ## Special abilities - **Rattle Warning:** Prairie Rattlesnakes can shake their tail quickly, creating a loud buzz to warn off threats. - **Heat Vision:** Prairie Rattlesnakes have special heat-sensing pits that help them 'see' warm-blooded prey in total darkness. - **Perfect Camouflage:** Prairie Rattlesnakes have mottled scales that help them blend perfectly into dry grasslands and rocky terrain. - **Venomous Bite:** Prairie Rattlesnakes possess powerful venom delivered through fangs to quickly immobilize their prey. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 89-152 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-20 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-25 ## Diet & Feeding Prairie Rattlesnakes are carnivores that ambush small mammals and birds using their venomous bite. - **Age differences:** Young snakes eat more lizards and insects before switching to mammals. - **Primary Foods:** mice, voles, gophers, ground squirrels, rabbits, small birds - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Large raptors occasionally prey on younger snakes. - **Eaten by:** [American Badger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-badger) (*Taxidea taxus*) — Badgers sometimes dig them out of dens to eat. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High If you see a rattlesnake, stay calm and walk away slowly. It's best to admire them from a distance! ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Prairie Rattlesnake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Prairie Rattlesnake? 89-152 cm ### How much does Prairie Rattlesnake weigh? 0.5-2.5 kg ### How long does Prairie Rattlesnake live? 10-20 years ### How fast can Prairie Rattlesnake move? 5 km/h ### What does Prairie Rattlesnake eat? Prairie Rattlesnakes are carnivores that ambush small mammals and birds using their venomous bite. ### Where is Prairie Rattlesnake usually found? Grasslands ### How does Prairie Rattlesnake hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Dinosaur Ridge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dinosaur-ridge) — Colorado, US · Natural Landmark - [Monument Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/monument-rocks) — Kansas, US · Nature Reserve - [Toadstool Geologic Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/toadstool-geologic-park) — Nebraska, US · Nature Reserve - [Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bighorn-canyon-national-recreation-area) — Montana, US · National Park - [Dundy County Courthouse](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dundy-county-courthouse) — Nebraska, US · Historic Site - [Main Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/main-avenue-historic-district) — Colorado, US · Historic District [View all places to see Prairie Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/prairie-rattlesnake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Prairie Rattlesnake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prairie-rattlesnake)