Reptile · GBIF taxon 6157433
Crotalus oreganus lutosus
Crotalus oreganus lutosusAlso known as Great Basin Pit Viper
Great Basin rattlesnakes are heavy-bodied pit vipers adapted to the arid sagebrush steppe and rocky slopes of the western United States. They spend winter hibernating in large communal dens deep underground, emerging each spring to hunt small mammals using heat-sensing facial pits. Cryptic blotched patterns allow them to vanish into dry desert vegetation, relying on camouflage and their warning rattle to avoid conflict.
VenomousPit ViperArid Adapted
Licensed reference(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Ord's Kangaroo Rat
- Deer Mouse
- Side-blotched Lizard
Predators
- Red-tailed Hawk
- Coyote
- California Kingsnake
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, road mortality, and intentional killing at den sites
HabitatsSagebrush scrub, rocky canyons, desert shrublands, and open pine woodlands
Life span15 to 20 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyViperidae
- SpeciesCrotalus oreganus lutosus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskVery high
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is very high
- Injects hemotoxic venom via bite; maintain a safe distance of at least three meters.
- Why it is dangerous
- Delivers hemotoxic venom through hollow fangs, causing acute pain, swelling, tissue destruction, and systemic bleeding.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognized by a broad triangular head, facial pits, greyish-buff skin with rounded dark blotches, and a tail rattle.
- What to do
- Never touch or corner a rattlesnake; step away slowly and allow the animal a clear escape path.
Responsible observation
- Give space: Maintain a distance of at least ten feet if encountered on a trail.
- Watch your steps: Wear thick leather boots and stick to clear paths around rocky outcrops.
- Listen carefully: A loud buzzy rattle indicates you are too close, so pause and step back slowly.
Predator (c) Connor Long, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Prey Wikimedia Commons / Public domain · cc0
Habitat Partner (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative Connor Long / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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