Mexican west coast rattlesnake

Mexican west coast rattlesnake
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Crotalus
Species:	C. basiliscus
Binomial name
Crotalus basiliscus (Cope, 1864)
Synonyms
Caudisona basilisca Cope, 1864 C[rotalus]. basiliscus — Cope in Yarrow in Wheeler, 1875 [Crotalus durissus] var. basiliscus — Garman, 1884 Crotalus terrificus — Boulenger, 1896 [Crotalus terrificus] basiliscus — Amaral, 1929 Crotalus basiliscus basiliscus — Gloyd, 1948

The Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake (Crotalus basiliscus), also known as the "Mexican Green Rattler" or the "Mexican West Coast Green Rattlesnake", is a type of venomous pit viper species. The scientific name comes from the Greek word for 'King', basiliskos, because of the snakes large size and dangerous venom.Currently, no subspecies are recognized.

Description

The Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake is one of the largest rattlesnake species. Ones which have the length of 150 centimetres (4.9 ft) are common, while the maximum size is reported to be 204.5 centimetres (6.71 ft).The young are mostly red but when they become adults their color changes to olive green or yellowish cream.

Habitat

This snakes are found in western Mexico, from southern Sonora to Michoacán. They live in areas which are treeless, are covered in short grass, thorny bushes and have plenty of cactus.

Feeding

Not many know what this Rattlesnake eats, but scientist found seven Mexican West Coast Rattlesnakes which had mammal hair inside them, probably belonging to rodents.

Behavior

In the lowlands, these snakes are active during the raining, summer months and some have been found crossing the roads at night. However some have been seen basking early in the morning. It has been reported that the Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake can be tamed easily in zoos.