whew- dont poach me!

[spath]

thought this was too cool not too post-
however, one of the few healthy plants in a small dying colony (10 plants) that has had signs of poaching.
Allen, or anyone else know if this is a mojave rattler?
-Jeremy

[Allen Repashy]

Hey Jeremey,

Yeah, it sure looks like a Mojave (Crotalus scutulatus). For a long time, this was considered the most dangerous rattlesnake species, but recently, our population of Southern Pacific (Crotalus viridus helleri) has been determined to be more dangerous!

[cycadjungle]

That snake may be of interest to some, but how about that sonorense. What is it probably 200 years old or something? You don't see those with trunk like that every day, yet alone the very blue form! Its too bad about people poaching the location, maybe the snake will stick around and protect the plant.

[DesertZone]

Originally Posted by spath

Allen, or anyone else know if this is a mojave rattler?
-Jeremy

Looks like a black-tail rattler.

[cactusmcharris]

Originally Posted by Allen Repashy

Hey Jeremey,

Yeah, it sure looks like a Mojave (Crotalus scutulatus). For a long time, this was considered the most dangerous rattlesnake species, but recently, our population of Southern Pacific (Crotalus viridus helleri) has been determined to be more dangerous!

Allen,

My limited knowledge had the most dangerous (in terms of toxicity of a first-bite venom release) as the Mojave Green (Crotalus scutulatus) rattlesnake.


Oh yes, Spath, thanks for the flora/reptilia pic.

[GermanStar]

Agree on the Mojave Green. Compounding the issue is the difficulty in discerning between a Mojave Green and the less aggressive, less venomous Western Diamondback. I have Diamondback rattlers in my yard almost nightly for stretches in July and August. Thankfully, my pups give 'em a wide berth.

[wantonamara]

The majaves that I am familiar with while walking in the Guadalupe mountains (Texas and New mexico) were a pale orangey beige tan pattern. A lot of snakes in those mountains.

[Steve Steward]

The snake is Crotalus mollosus, the black-tailed rattlesnake.

[GermanStar]

^ Thanks, I was wondering. Never seen its like around here...