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Rock Rattlesnake
Crotalus lepidus
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ContextPhylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Crotalidae
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Distribution
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Physical Characteristics
Adult length is 15-33 in (38-83 cm). Back with narrow dark crossbands on a lighter ground color. The crossbands may be black, dark brown, or dark gray. The ground color tends to match the color of the terrain of which it inhibits, and thus may be pale gray, bluish gray, greenish gray, tan, or pinkish. The upper preocular is split vertically and the scales are keeled in 23 rows.
Geographic Range
Southeastern Arizona to western Texas, south to Jalisco, Mexico. Can be found from about 1000 ft. above sea level to around 9600 ft. (300-2930 m).
Habitat
Crotalus lepidus is known to inhabit mountain and hilly terrain with rocky ridges, rockslides, outcrops, and stream beds. Its range extends from arid and semiarid desert grassland habitats up through to the lower edge of ponderosa pine forest.
Diet
The Rock Rattlesnake feeds mostly on lizards, snakes, frogs, and small mammals.
Reproductive Characteristics
Live bearing. Birth usually occurs from July through August with a brood size that varies from 2-8. Young measure about 6.75-8 in (17-20 cm) long and are similar to adults in coloration.
Remarks
In the dry areas of West Texas, this species is often observed or collected in the area of intermittent streams along banks or cliff bottoms. An unusual characteristic about this rattlesnake is that often times it will not rattle when closely confronted by humans.
William D. Beltran, July 1997. Last Update: 19 April 2001.
