Reptile · GBIF taxon 2444453
Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus helleriAlso known as Southern Pacific Rattlesnake, Black Diamond Rattlesnake
Southern Pacific rattlesnakes rely on subtle brown and black blotched patterns to blend seamlessly into the sun-dappled chaparral and sage scrub of Southern California. Specialized facial pit organs allow them to hunt in complete darkness by detecting tiny infrared heat variations from warm-blooded prey. When cornered or startled, they coil tightly and shake specialized keratin tail segments to sound a unmistakable buzzing warning.
VenomousReptilePit Viper
Licensed referencePhoto by: Chris Brown / Public domain · cc0
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- California Ground Squirrel
- Pocket Gopher
- Western Fence Lizard
Predators
- Red-tailed Hawk
- California Kingsnake
- Greater Roadrunner
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, suburban development, traffic mortality, and deliberate killing
HabitatsChaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodlands, and rocky hillsides
Life span15 to 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyViperidae
- SpeciesCrotalus helleri
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Potentially lethal venomous bite; maintain a safe distance of at least ten feet at all times.
- Why it is dangerous
- Delivers potent hemotoxic and neurotoxic venom that causes severe tissue necrosis, systemic bleeding, and respiratory failure.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for dark diamond-shaped blotches, heat-sensing pits behind the nostrils, and a distinctive tail rattle.
- What to do
- Freeze if you hear a rattle, locate the snake without moving closer, and back away slowly.
Responsible observation
- Watch Your Step: Stick to well-cleared trails and avoid placing hands or feet into unlit crevices or dense brush.
- Listen Carefully: If a rattle sounds, freeze instantly, locate the snake, and slowly step backward.
- Give Distance: Maintain a separation of at least ten feet to keep both you and the snake secure.
Predator (c) Connor Long, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator Buteo_jamaicensis_1.jpg: Alan Vernon derivative work: Berichard (talk) / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Prey Holly Cheng / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Prey Connor Long / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Connor Long / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.