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Crotalus mitchellii - Speckled rattlesnake
Meaning
Mitchellii is derived from the name of a doctor who studied the venom of rattlesnakes, Silas Weir Mitchell (1829-1914).
Angelensis - relates to the island they are found on, Isla Angel de la Guarda
Muertensis - also relates to the island they are found on, Isla El Muerto
Pyrrhus – from the Greek language meaning flame colored or fire
English name
Speckled rattlesnake
Distribution
Crotalus mitchellii is found in the southwestern part of the United States and the Baja region of Mexico including a few islands in the Gulf of California.
Habitat
This species usually inhabits rough rocky desert type terrain, but can also be found in woodlands, pine-oak and tropical deciduous forests.
Description
The average size does not tend do be larger then 100cm (males usually between 90-100cm) but animals from Isla Angel de la Guarda seem to be larger, the largest recorded specimen being almost 137cm, and animals of Isla El Muerto seems to be dwarfed, with a maximum known length of 63.7cm. The ground coloration of the animals vary tremendously, all the way from speckled snow white, to royal blue to red and any other color. Usually the colors match the habitat (rocks) they live in. Young animals tend to have blotches and bands but with age these transform into dark colored speckles. The head is seldom patterned where as the tail is irregularly black and white banded.
Diet
Their diet consists of small rodents like, rats, mice, squirrels and birds and some are known to eat bats.
Venom
The venom of C. mitchellii is as divers as its different populations, having different characteristics in their composition of venom. In general mitchellii venom is proteolytic and hemorrhagic, but in C. m. mitchellii a mojave-like toxin has been found but is totally absent in C. m. pyrrhus. Mitchellii venom bites in humans are rare but often come with significant swelling of the bitten limb (and radiates outwards), pain, ecchymoses, paresthesias, muscle fasciculations, blistering, change in taste and vision, clotting problems and victims may go into shock.
Extra
C. mitchellii is the only (wild) snake with blue-eyes in the Northern Hemisphere.
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