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Prairie rattlesnake
Crotalus viridis
VENOMOUS
Description: 
Has dark brown blotches along its back that may be oval, squarish, or hexagonal in shape. The belly has no pattern and is a white or gray color, and it has gray bands that ring the end of the tail just before the rattle. This snake has keeled scales, a vertical pupil (not round *), and an obvious heat-sensing pit between the eye and nostril.

* Note: Pit viper pupils can often appear round in certain lighting, such as in photos utilizing a flash. Do NOT use pupil shape as a sole means to identify any snake in Oklahoma. 
​
Size: 
Adults 32 - 46 inches (81 - 117 cm)

Prey: 
Rodents and other small mammals, lizards, and ground-dwelling birds.

Reproduction: 
Mates in spring and gives birth to live young in late summer to early fall. Typically has 4 - 20 babies that are 8 - 10 inches (20 - 25 cm) long.

Habitat: 
Grasslands, rocky outcrops, and areas near prairie dog towns.

Other Information: 
Easily aggravated, this snake is quick to defend itself if threatened. Seeks winter shelter with other rattlesnakes in large, rocky communal den sites. If rocky areas aren't available, individuals may overwinter in mammal burrows.


Why doesn't the range map show this species in my county?
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  • Home
  • Harmless Species
    • Broad-banded watersnake
    • Bullsnake
    • Coachwhip
    • Common gartersnake
    • Common watersnake
    • DeKay's brownsnake
    • Diamond-backed watersnake
    • Eastern hog-nosed snake
    • Flat-headed snake
    • Graham's crayfish snake
    • Great Plains ratsnake
    • Gulf swampsnake
    • Kansas glossy snake
    • Lined snake
    • Long-nosed snake
    • Marcy's checkered gartersnake
    • Northern red-bellied snake
    • Plain-bellied watersnake
    • Plains black-headed snake
    • Plains gartersnake
    • Plains hog-nosed snake
    • Prairie kingsnake
    • Racer
    • Ring-necked snake
    • Rough earthsnake
    • Rough greensnake
    • Scarletsnake
    • Slowinski's cornsnake
    • Speckled kingsnake
    • Texas nightsnake
    • Threadsnake
    • Variable groundsnake
    • Western black-necked gartersnake
    • Western milksnake
    • Western mudsnake
    • Western smooth earthsnake
    • Western ratsnake
    • Western ribbonsnake
    • Western wormsnake
  • Venomous Species
    • Copperhead
    • Northern cottonmouth
    • Prairie massasauga rattlesnake
    • Prairie rattlesnake
    • Timber rattlesnake
    • Western diamond-backed rattlesnake
    • Western pygmy rattlesnake
  • Patterned
  • Solid
  • Striped
  • About
  • Contact