DESCRIPTION: A large (up to 1,219 mm or 48" in total length excluding rattle), brown, gray, yellow-brown, or golden yellow rattlesnake with a series of large, black or brown, blotches on the back (dorsal blotches). The blotches appear jagged-edged because each of this snakes dorsal scales is usually but a single color. A few light patches mark the interior of each dorsal blotch. The blotches are hexagonal with thin "straps" trailing down the sides to the belly. On the posterior part of the body the blotches become narrow, muted crossbands. The tail is black, sometimes with muted, dark, gray-brown rings. The top of the snout is usually black or dark brown. The pupils are vertically elliptical and the dorsal scales are keeled. The neck is slender and the head is broad and triangular. On the end of the tail is a rattle composed of a series of loosely interlocking keratinous sections. A new section is added each time the snake sheds its skin. Its uniformly dark tail distinguishes this snake from the Mohave Rattlesnake and Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake.

DISTRIBUTION: This snake is found across nearly all of southern Arizona. It is absent from the northeastern plateau region. It occurs at elevations ranging from near sea level in the southwestern deserts to over 8,000' in the sky islands of southeastern Arizona and below the Mogollon Rim.

HABITAT: It is found in a wide variety of biotic communities ranging from Sonoran Desertscrub to the lower reaches of Petran Subalpine Conifer Forest. It seems to be most abundant in the woodlands. It is almost always found above the flats in hilly or mountainous terrain.

BEHAVIOR: It can be active at any time of day or night when conditions are favorable. It is primarily diurnal and crepuscular in spring and fall and becomes crepuscular and nocturnal during the hot summer months. This ground-dweller is often quick to rattle at the first hint of danger and it often gives up its presence in this way. Like the other "pit-vipers" (members of the subfamily Crotalinae) this snake uses heat sensing pits (one on each side of the face between the eye and nostril) to detect warm-blooded predators and prey.

DIET: Venom injected through long, hollow, retractable fangs is used to kill and begin digesting its prey. It feeds on mice, rats, rabbits, other small mammals, birds, and lizards.

REPRODUCTION: Mating takes place in summer and up to 16 young are born in summer.

REMARKS: This rattlesnake is capable of delivering large amounts of potent venom. If encountered it should be left alone. A large percentage of envenomations occur when a snake is handled or abused.

By Thomas C. Brennan


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Brennan, T. C., and A. T. Holycross. 2006. A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ

Brennan, T. C., and A. T. Holycross. 2004 Crotalus oreganus concolor. Geographic Distribution. Herpetological Review 35(2).

Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., and Price, A. H.. 1996. Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press. Albuquerque.

Fowlie. 1965. The Snakes of Arizona. Azul Quinta Press, Fallbrook, California

Lowe, Schwalbe, Johnson. 1986. The Venomous Reptiles of Arizona. Nongame Branch Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ

Stebbins. 1985. Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin. New York, NY