Field Herper.com

Field notes and photography by Bryan D. Hughes
Aug
10th
2009

Pale Mojave Rattlesnake

Mojave Rattlesnake
Mojave Rattlesnake
Here’s a nice example of one of the variations that can be found in the Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus). This one was fairly uniform in color, with a minimally distinct pattern, all in various hues of peach, brown and orange.

Crotalus scutulatus
Crotalus scutulatus

To people who aren’t experienced, the Mojave Rattlesnake can be difficult to distinguish from the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. Their convergent patterning and tail banding can be confusing without an understanding of some of the basic differences in their physiology. Below is a photo of one of these differences, the number of scales between the ocular scales which cover the eyes. In the Mojave, there are 2 (occasionally 3). In a Western Diamondback, there are 4 or more.

2 Scuts between the eyes.
2 Scuts between the eyes.

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