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Crotalus polystictus - Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake
Meaning
Polystictus comes from the Greek, poly meaning multiple/many and stictus is derived from sticto meaning spotted.
English name
Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake
Distribution
Crotalus polystictus is mainly found in central Mexico.
Habitat
Their habitat consists out of grasslands, pine and oak forests with rocky outcrops, slides and clear patches associated with the Mexican Plateau.
Description
This medium sized rattlesnake grows to about 70-80cm, occasionally reaching the one metre mark.
The dark blotched pattern is very distinctive compared to other rattlesnakes. The blotches (30-47) are often oval or elongated shaped at the front part of the body and become more circular towards mid-body. 4 to 7 crossbands are usually at the tail. Typically they have a tan, brown, grey or sometimes white ground colour. The head of C. polystictus is also posted, usually 2 posts on the prefrontal, a pair of spots on the upper temporal (by the supraocular), a single or double centre spot and a pair of spots that starts by the after the postocular stripe sometimes running in too the neck.
Diet
Their diet mainly consist out of amphibians and other reptiles but insects and small mammals are also eaten.
Venom
Although there are not many recorded bite incidents their fairly large venom yield (80-100mg) and long fangs make them quite dangerous. Local effects normally consist of swelling, ecchymosis and pain, other effects main include muscle fasciculation, numbness, blebs, thrombocytopenia, hypofibrinogenemia and necrosis may set in.
Extra
At one time this snake covered most of central Mexico but now only isolated populations exists. At that time some populations were semi aquatic.
The width ratio is small compared to the length of the head (< 60%). Most other rattlesnakes (70% - 80%).
It is known that this species shares burrows of the gopher tortoise.
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