Prairie Rattlesnake

(Crotalus viridis viridis)

Found Sept. of 2000 on FM 2317 North of Sierra Blanca, Texas

Size: Up to 64" /  I have found them most commonly around 2-3 feet in length.

Range in Texas: Mostly the western portions of Texas into the panhandle. Found in the flat rolling grass lands of its range.

Comments: The only location that I have found these in Hudspeth County is the Northern end of FM 1111 and on FM 2317. They are more common in adjacent Culberson County. The one pictured above is much darker than the ones I have found in Culberson Co. Although I have found the darker phased viridis on FM 2317, I have also found the more common lighter viridis such as the one pictured below.  The Prairie Rattler is in the family of Western Rattlers that includes the Grand Canyon, Arizona Black, Midget Faded, Southern Pacific, Great Basin, Hopi, and Northern Pacific Rattlers. The one pictured above was found on Farm Road 2317 at approximately 11 PM. They are easily confused with the Desert Massasauga. They are a small snake with little rattles. When I first saw this one, I thought it was a dark Mexican Hognose.  Click on the thumbnails to view an enlarged version.