Crotalus pricei - Twin-spotted rattlesnake

Meaning
Pricei – named after the first collector W. W. Price.
Miquihuanus – reffering to the name of the region they are found in (Miquihuana).

English name
Twin-spotted rattlesnake

Distribution
Crotalus pricei pricei can be found in the mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona USA. In western Mexico they "follow" the higher mountain ranges from the border southwards. C. p. miquihuanus is found more eastern in Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi.

Habitat
This species is usually found in the higher rocky habitats which are covered with woodlands or pine-oak forests and open spaces between. Usually between 1800 – 3200 metres high.

Description
This small rattlesnake species generally reaches a length of 50-60cm (males tend to be slightly longer then females).
The ground color is usually something of a reddish/brownish or blueish gray with small brown, almost black speckles. The brown/grey dorsal blothces are usually divided in pairs an have dark brown or black with white borders. From the ventral sized the head is usually pale and the tail almost black.
The difference of the two species can be found in that C. p. miquihuanus is normally brown ground coloured, the middorsal blotches are less divided and they have fewer ventral scales:
The determination of the species is difficult and is usually done by location and scalation. Not all species can be assigned as some populations naturally have overlapping ranges where they intergrade.

Diet
Their diet mainly consist out of amphibians and other reptiles but insects and small mammals are also eaten.

Venom
C. pricei is considered to be not very dangerous for humans, because of the "short" fang length and small venom yield, but with any rattlesnake any bite should be taken serious. Local effects probably consist of swelling, ecchymosis and pain.