Prairie Rattlesnake
This widely-distributed rattlesnake species can strike up to half their body length.
About This Species
Prairie Rattlesnakes are the most widely-distributed rattlesnakes in the US. They are thermosensitive, and have a heat-sensitive pit on each side of their head between their nose and eye. They rattle the tip of their tails in order to alert predators to their presence.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Horny rattle or button on end of tail; numerous small scales on top of head; head much broader than neck; pit on each side of face between (but lower than) eye and nostril; upper side usually blotched; upper scales keeled; pupil vertically elongate (like a cat’s) in bright light; rarely greater than 100 cm total length (39 inches) in Colorado.
Range
Found throughout most of Colorado, except the high mountains, reaching an upper elevational limit of 7,500–9,500 feet in different areas of the state. Fairly common in many areas.
Habitat
Virtually every terrestrial habitat within the broad geographic and elevational range; plains grassland, sandhills, semidesert shrubland, mountain shrubland, riparian zones, piñon-juniper woodland, and montane woodland; soils may be sandy to rocky; absent from perennially wet areas and high mountains; basically terrestrial, but sometimes climbs into vegetation or onto rocks or logs. Takes shelter in crevices, woodpiles, brushy vegetation, or mammal burrows. Hibernates in rodent burrows or in crevices in rock outcrops.
Diet
Typical food items include small mammals, lizards, occasional birds and spadefoot toads, and sometimes carrion.
Prey are ambushed or obtained by active foraging.
Reproduction
Females give birth to their young between late August and early October.