Snakes

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake

Crotalus pyrrhus

Across the regions where it's common, the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake peaks from April to September.

Shows up in 4 ecoregions and 3 states · venomous

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Snakes

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake

Crotalus pyrrhus

venomous

Venomous. Do not handle. Give it room and let it move on. If you're bitten, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Don't cut, suck or ice the bite.

Look, don't take. Many states regulate collecting reptiles and amphibians. Photograph it, log it on iNaturalist and leave it where you found it.

Description

Common names: southwestern speckled rattlesnake, Mitchell's rattlesnake, more. Adults grow to an average length of 3 feet (91 cm), but may sometimes exceed 4 feet (120 cm).Wikipedia ↗

Habitat

Found in the United States in southern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah and western Arizona. Rocky country, including rocky hillsides and canyons, talus slopes and rock ledges.Wikipedia ↗

Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake — Trevor Van Loon · CC BY 4.0

iNaturalist ↗

Harmless look-alikes

Gopher Snake, Pine Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Plains Hognose Snake, Mexican Hognose Snake, Prairie Kingsnake, Desert Nightsnake, Chihuahuan NightsnakeSuperficially, gopher snakes resemble many species of rattlesnakes and are often mistaken for them. Animal Diversity Web ↗Non-human predators are likely to be discouraged from attacking gopher snakes when they are mimicing rattlesnakes. Animal Diversity Web ↗Rattlesnakes vs. gopher snakes, bullsnakes and hognose snakes →

When and where it's active

Each row is its own calendar, counted from records in that area. Seasons shift by place.

PeakShoulderQuiet

Ecoregions

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Mojave Desert Sonoran Desert Southern California Coast Southern California Mountains

States

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Arizona California Nevada

About the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake

When is the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake most active?

Across the regions where it's common, the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake peaks from April to September.

Where does the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake live?

It has enough records to show in 4 ecoregions and 3 states, including Arizona, California, and Nevada.

Is the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake venomous?

Yes. The Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake is venomous. Don't handle it, and give it room.

What snakes get mistaken for the Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake?

Harmless lookalikes include the Gopher Snake, Pine Snake, and Eastern Hognose Snake.