The predators of Crotalus viridis include some predatory birds such as red-tailed hawks. When Crotalus viridis senses a predator, it makes a rattling sound to warn it. Smaller snakes tend to wait until the predator is closer to begin rattling, as do pregnant females.
Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic
The various subspecies of Crotalus viridis may vary slightly in color. Most are greenish gray or greenish brown in color, although members of one subspecies are black with only slight markings. These rattlesnakes have from 33-55 dark blotches on their back, which flatten into rings on the tail, surrounded by lighter markings. Juviniles have similar markings to adults, but may have higher contrast in coloring. All Crotalus viridis have a rattle at the end of their tail, made up of segments of keratin, which knock together to make a rattling sound. The number of segments varies because each time the snake sheds its skin, it gains another segment. Crotalus viridis is generally about 91.5 cm in length, but can be from 89-114 cm. Males and females are dimorphic in that the number of rings on their tails differs. Males tend to have between 6-15 rings, and females tend to have between 4-11 rings.
There are nine subspecies of Crotalus viridis. Crotalus viridis viridis , or Western or Prairie rattlesnake, is the most widespread and is found in most regions of the species. There are eight others which are mostly named for the region they are found in. They are Grand Canyon rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis abyssus), Coronado Island rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis caliginis), Arizona Black rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis ceberus), Midget Faded rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis concolor), Southern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis helleri), Great Basin rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis lutosus), and Hopi rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis oreganus). (LaDuc, 2000; Melli, 1999; Herp-edia, 1998; Reptiles and Amphibians of North Dakota, 1999)
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 24.1 years.
The name Crotalus comes from the Greek word "crotalon", which means "little bell", and is used to describe the rattle. The name viridis comes from the latin word for the color green.
Crotalus viridis can live up to twenty-one years. 95% of deaths of Crotalus viridis occur during the active season, rather than the winter. (Greene, 1997; Melli, 1999)
There are currently no conservation measures being taken for Crotalus viridis because their existence is not considered threatened. (Melli, 1999)
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
The only adverse affect that Crotalus viridis can have on humans is that they may bite an individual that provokes them. Their venom can cause injury and death. (Jacobs, 1999)
Crotalus viridis help to control populations of rodents and other animals that they feed on.
Crotalus viridis eat small mammals, ground nesting birds, amphibians, and reptiles, including sometimes other snakes. They locate their prey by using their tongue to sense in airborn chemicals given off by the prey. Then they rapidly strike out at them, biting them with their fangs, then letting them go quickly. Venom is released from their fangs when the snakes strike. It works to immobilize the prey, which the snake then tracks and eats. The venom also works to destroy tissue and help with the digestion of bulkier prey.
Their venom is very deadly. Crotalus viridis use from 20-55% of their stored venom when they bite a small mammal such as a mouse. This is approximately 300 times the amount of venom needed to kill that animal. Venom is stored in glands which are connected to the hollow fangs. Venom is the means used to kill the prey, as the bite of the fangs alone would not usually result in death. The fangs are covered by thin tissue and fold back against the roof of the mouth when the mouth is closed.
During early spring and late fall when the weather is warm, Crotalus viridis hunts during the day. When the weather gets hotter, Crotalus viridis tends to seek shelter during the day and wait until night when it is cooler to hunt. (Greene, 1997; Jacobs, 1999; Kardong et. al., 1998; Kardong, 1996; Melli, 1999; Reptiles and Amphibians of North Dakota, 1999)
Crotalus viridis are found across most of the United States west of Texas and the Dakotas. They are also found in northern Mexico and southwest Canada. (Melli, 1999; LaDuc, 2000)
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
Crotalus viridis are found mostly in grasslands and prairies, and in brush. Various subspecies can be found in woods, forests, caves, rock ledges, and alongside streams. Crotalus viridis avoids desert. (LaDuc, 2000; Melli, 1999; Crotalus viridis viridis, 1999)
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; chaparral ; forest
Crotalus viridis mate between March and May. They have internal fertilization; males have a hemipenis which they use for copulation. Females give birth to between 4-21 live young in late summer or early fall. The babies are able to take care of themselves immediately and require no parental care. They are from 22-28 cm long when born and are already venomous. They reach sexual maturity after three years. Males may compete for females during mating season; however, body size of males does not seem to be a trait that contributes to mating success. In areas where females are scarce, males spend more time searching for females, and are not generally observed fighting over females.
(Duvall, 1997; Fitch, 1998; Melli, 1999; Reptiles and Amphibians of North Dakota, 1999; Crotalus viridis viridis, 1999)
Die Westliche Klapperschlange (Crotalus viridis), auch Prärieklapperschlange, ist eine Art der Klapperschlangen (Crotalus) innerhalb der Vipern (Viperidae), die in den westlichen USA bis nach Kanada im Norden und Mexiko im Süden verbreitet ist. Bis vor ein paar Jahren wurde sie gemeinsam mit der Pazifik-Klapperschlange (Crotalus oreganus) als eine Art geführt.[1]
Die Westliche Klapperschlange ist eine relativ große Art der Klapperschlangen mit einer Durchschnittslänge von etwa 1 Meter, die bisherige Maximallänge beträgt 1,51 Meter.[2] Die Unterart C. v. nuntius bleibt im Regelfall etwas kleiner als die Nominatform.
Das Toxin der Westlichen Klapperschlange ist ein komplex aufgebautes Gemisch aus verschiedenen Proteinen (Eiweiße), darunter zu finden sind Enzyme wie Proteasen und Peptidasen. Neben hämotoxischer und gewebezerstörender Wirkung zeigt das Gift auch neurotoxische Eigenschaften. Für Bisse dieser Viper stehen spezifische Antivenine zur Verfügung.[3]
Das Verbreitungsgebiet der Schlange umfasst in den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika einen großen Bereich der Great Plains und reicht im Norden bis Kanada und im Süden bis Mexiko. In Kanada ist sie in den südlichen Gebieten von Saskatchewan und Alberta anzutreffen. In den USA umfasst das Verbreitungsgebiet Teile der Bundesstaaten Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico und den äußersten Süden Arizonas. In Mexiko findet sich die Schlange im nördlichen Coahuila und nordwestlichen Chihuahua.[2]
Die taxonomische Diskussion um die Westliche Klapperschlange ist derzeit im Fluss, bis vor wenigen Jahren wurde sie gemeinsam mit der Pazifik-Klapperschlange (C. oreganus) als eine Art geführt. Auf der Grundlage von Untersuchungen auf molekularbiologischer Basis durch Ashton und de Queiroz 2001 sowie Pook et al. 2000 wurden die beiden Taxa als Arten getrennt, wobei ein Großteil der Unterarten der Pazifik-Klapperschlange zugeordnet wurde.[4][5][2]
Bei der Westlichen Klapperschlange werden aktuell nur noch zwei Unterarten unterschieden:
Die Westliche Klapperschlange (Crotalus viridis), auch Prärieklapperschlange, ist eine Art der Klapperschlangen (Crotalus) innerhalb der Vipern (Viperidae), die in den westlichen USA bis nach Kanada im Norden und Mexiko im Süden verbreitet ist. Bis vor ein paar Jahren wurde sie gemeinsam mit der Pazifik-Klapperschlange (Crotalus oreganus) als eine Art geführt.
Crotalus viridis (Common names: prairie rattlesnake,[3][4] Great Plains rattlesnake,[5]) is a venomous pit viper species native to the western United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico. Currently, two subspecies are recognized, including the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis), the nominate subspecies, and the Hopi rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis nuntius).[3]
The taxonomic history of this species is convoluted. Previously, seven other C. viridis subspecies were also recognized, including C. v. abyssus, C. v. caliginis, C. v. cerberus, C. v. concolor, C. v. helleri, C. v. lutosus and C. v. oreganus. However, in 2001 Ashton and de Queiroz described their analysis of the variation of mitochondrial DNA across the range of this species. Their results agreed broadly with those obtained by Pook et al. (2000). Two main clades were identified, east and west of the Rocky Mountains, which they argued were actually two different species: on the one hand C. viridis, including the conventional subspecies C. v. viridis and C. v. nuntius, and on the other C. oreganus, including all the other traditional subspecies of C. viridis. The authors retained the names of the traditional subspecies, but emphasized the need for more work to be done on the systematics of C. oreganus.[6][7][8]
This species commonly grows to more than 100 cm (3.3 ft) in length. The maximum recorded size is 151.5 cm (4.97 ft). In Montana, specimens occasionally exceed 120 centimetres (3.9 ft) in length; the species reaches its maximum size in this region. One of the most characteristic features is the presence of three or more, usually four, internasal scales.[6]
Identification characteristics will vary depending on which subspecies is encountered. Generally, prairie rattlesnakes are usually lightly colored in hues of brown. Patches of dark brown are often distributed in a dorsal pattern. A color band may be seen at the back of the eye. The prairie rattlesnake group carries the distinctive triangle-shaped head and pit sensory organs on either side of the head. A key characteristic that can help differentiate a prairie rattlesnake from other rattlesnakes is the presence of two internasals contacting the rostral.[9]
Prairie rattlesnakes are found in North America over much of the Great Plains, the eastern foothills and some intermontane valleys of the Rocky Mountains, from southwestern Canada through the United States to northern Mexico. In Canada, they occur in Alberta and Saskatchewan; in the US in eastern Idaho, most of Montana (where it is one of 10 snake species and the only venomous one), North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, northeastern Arizona, extreme western Iowa, and in Mexico in northern Coahuila and northwestern Chihuahua. Its vertical range is from 100 m (330 ft) near the Rio Grande to over 2,775 m (9,104 ft) in elevation in Wyoming.[6]
Wright and Wright (1957) and Klauber (1997) both mention Utah as within the range of this species, including maps showing it confined to the extreme southeastern part of the state.[5][10] The type locality is described as "the Upper Missouri [Valley, USA]". An emendation was proposed by H.M. Smith and Taylor (1950) to "Gross, Boyd County, Nebraska."[2]
Habitat characteristics can vary depending on subspecies and range. Generally, western rattlesnakes occupy areas with an abundant prey base. Many subspecies occupy somewhat rocky areas with outcrops serving as den sites. Prairie rattlesnakes have also been known to occupy burrows of other animals.[11] They seem to prefer dry areas with moderate vegetation coverage. Vegetation cover will vary depending on region and subspecies.[9]
Prairie rattlesnakes are primarily terrestrial, but occasionally climb in trees or bushes. Some even rest in crevices or caves. They are typically active diurnally in cooler weather and nocturnally during hot weather C. viridis. This species complex is equipped with powerful venom, using about 20-55 percent of venom in one bite, and will defend themselves if threatened or injured. As with other rattlesnake species, prairie rattlesnakes will rapidly vibrate their tails, which produces a unique rasping sound to warn intruders.[12] Prairie rattlesnakes prefer sinuosity while migrating even in human-dominated environments because it leads to a higher chance of survival and better body condition throughout and after migration.
The venom of the Prairie rattlesnake is a complexly structured mixture of different proteins with enzymes such as proteases and peptidases found among them.[14] Besides the hemotoxin and its tissue destructive effect, the venom also has neurotoxic properties.[15]
Prairie rattlesnakes, because of their expansive distribution, have a wide array of prey. Generally, this species prefers small mammals, such as ground squirrels, ground nesting birds, mice, rats, small rabbits and prairie dogs. They will occasionally feed on amphibians and reptiles, and sometimes even other snakes. This is more commonly seen in juvenile snakes.[9]
Prairie rattlesnakes are viviparous and can produce from one to 25 young per reproduction event. The average number of young ranges from four to 12, but can vary greatly due to availability of food and environmental conditions. Males may compete for females during the breeding season, but western rattlesnake females may not necessarily breed every year.[16] They give birth in late summer or early fall, being their breed 22–28 cm long, without the need for parental care. In addition, the young are toxic as soon as they are born. They reach sexual maturity at three years of age. It is also common for females to give birth at communal den sites with the young born between August and October.[9][12]
This species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001). Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because they are unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend was stable when assessed in 2006.[1]
Crotalus viridis nuntius Klauber, 1935,[3] the Hopi rattlesnake, inhabits the United States from northeastern and north-central Arizona, from the New Mexico border to Cataract Creek, including the Little Colorado River basin, the southern section of the Apache Indian Reservation, the Hopi Reservation, and the Coconino Plateau from the southern rim of the Grand Canyon to US Highway 66 in the south.[10]
Crotalus viridis viridis (Rafinesque, 1818),[3] the prairie rattlesnake, inhabits the North American Great Plains from the Rocky Mountains to 96° W and from southern Canada to extreme northern Mexico, including southwestern Saskatchewan, southeastern Alberta, eastern Washington, Idaho in the Lemhi Valley, Montana east of the higher Rockies, southwestern North Dakota, west, central and extreme southeastern South Dakota, western Iowa, central and western Nebraska, Wyoming except for the Rockies, Colorado, central and western Kansas, Oklahoma, extreme southeastern Utah, northeastern Arizona, New Mexico, western and southwestern Texas, northeastern Sonora, northern Chihuahua, northern Coahuila.[10]
Crotalus viridis (Common names: prairie rattlesnake, Great Plains rattlesnake,) is a venomous pit viper species native to the western United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico. Currently, two subspecies are recognized, including the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis viridis), the nominate subspecies, and the Hopi rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis nuntius).
Crotalus viridis es una especie de serpiente venenosa nativa del oeste de Estados Unidos, suroeste de Canadá, y norte de México. En la actualidad, dos subespecies son reconocidas (véase más abajo).[3]
Esta especie crece hasta 1 m de longitud, siendo su máxima longitud registrada de 1,52 m (Klauber, 1937). En Montana, los especímenes ocasionalmente superan los 12 dm de longitud. Klauber (1972) menciona que la especie alcanza su máximo tamaño en esta región. Una de sus características típicas es la de la presencia de tres o más (normalmente cuatro) escamas internasales.[4]
Las características que permiten la identificación varían dependiendo de cual subespecie se encuentre. Generalmente, las serpientes de cascabel del oeste (u occidentales) tienen colores claros con varias tonalidades de café. Manchas de color café más obscuro son comúnmente visibles en un patrón dorsal. Una banda de color puede estar presente detrás del ojo. El grupo de los cascabeles del oeste tiene una cabeza de característica forma triangular y los órganos sensoriales a cada lado de la cabeza. Una característica clave, que permite distinguir las cascabeles del oeste de otras cascabel, es la presencia de dos escamas internasales en contacto con la rostral.[5]
Las características del hábitat varían dependiendo de la subespecie y su área. Generalmente, las cascabeles del oeste ocupan áreas con presa abundante. Muchas subespecies ocupan zonas rocosas con salientes que sirven como guaridas. También es común que ocupen las habitaciones de otros animales. Parecen preferir zonas secas con poca vegetación. Las cascabeles de las praderas también pueden ser encontradas cerca de pantanos, estanques o cerca del agua.[5]
Las cascabeles del oeste, debido a su amplia distribución, tienen una gama variada de presas. Generalmente, esta especie prefiere pequeños mamíferos tales como ardilla de tierra, ratón, conejo, perrillo de las praderas. Ocasionalmente se alimenta de anfibios o reptiles, observándose más comúnmente en serpientes jóvenes.[5]
La cascabel del oeste es vivípara y puede producir de 1 a 25 crías por evento reproductivo. El promedio de crías va de 4 a 12 pero varía mucho por la disponibilidad de alimento y otras condiciones ambientales. Hembras de la cascabel no necesariamente criarán cada año.[6] Es común que las hembras den a luz en guaridas comunes. La cría nace entre agosto y octubre.[5][7]
Las cascabeles del oeste permanecen activas normalmente durante el día durante tiempo frío y de noche en tiempo caliente. C. viridis. La especie posee un veneno poderoso y se defenderá si se le amenaza o hiere. Al igual que otras especies de cascabel, vibrara su cola que producirá un sonido característico para advertir a los intrusos, a menos que esté conservando el calor y se enrosque sobre su cascabel.[7]
Se le encuentra en América del Norte en gran parte de las planicies, desde el sur de Canadá siguiendo hacia el sur a través de los Estados Unidos hasta el norte de México. En Canadá aparece en Columbia Británica, Alberta y Saskatchewan; en EE. UU. en el este de Idaho, Montana, Dakota del Norte, Dakota del Sur, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Nuevo México, el extremo este de Arizona; en México en el norte de Coahuila y norte de Chihuahua. Su rango vertical va desde los 100 m cerca del Río Bravo hasta más de 2,775 m de altura en Wyoming.[4]
Wright y Wright (1957) y Klauber (1997) mencionan Utah dentro del rango de la especie, incluyendo mapas mostrándola confinada al extremo sureste del estado.[8][9]
La localidad tipo se describe como "valle del alto Misuri" (EE. UU.). Una enmienda se propuso por Smith y Taylor (1950) ("Gross, Condado de Boyd (Nebraska).")[2]
La especia está clasificada como del menor riesgo (LC) por la IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).[1] Las especies se enlistan como tales debido a su amplia distribución, cuando se presume una elevada población, o debido a que es poco probable que su población disminuya rápidamente como para calificar en una categoría más amenazada. La tendencia de la población es estable.[1]
La historia taxonómica de la especie es compleja. Anteriormente, se reconocían otras siete especies de C. viridis, incluyendo abyssus, caliginis, cerberus, concolor, helleri, lutosus y oreganus. Sin embargo, en el 2001 Ashton y de Queiroz publicaron un estudio detallando su análisis de la variación del DNA mitocondrial entre las diversas subespecies. Sus resultados coincidieron ampliamente con aquellos de Pook et al. (2000). Dos clados principales fueron identificados, al este y oeste de las Montañas Rocallosas, los cuales, ellos alegaron, pertenecían a dos especies diferentes: por un lado C. viridis, incluyendo la subespecie convencional viridis y nuntius, y por otra parte C. oreganus, incluyendo todas las otras subespecies tradicionales de C. viridis. Los autores retuvieron los nombres de las subespecies tradicionales, pero enfatizaron que se requería más trabajo en la sistematización de C. oreganus.[4][11][12]
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Datos: Q1515347
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Especies: Crotalus viridis
Crotalus viridis es una especie de serpiente venenosa nativa del oeste de Estados Unidos, suroeste de Canadá, y norte de México. En la actualidad, dos subespecies son reconocidas (véase más abajo).
Crotalus viridis Crotalus generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Viperidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Crotalus viridis Crotalus generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Viperidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Crotalus viridis est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Viperidae[1]. La sous-espèce Crotalus viridis viridis est également nommée Crotale des prairies.
Cette espèce se rencontre[1] :
Sa présence est incertaine dans l'Oregon.
Ce serpent venimeux et vivipare[1] dépasse la taille de 100 cm, avec un maximum connu de 151 cm (Klauber, 1937).
Selon Reptarium Reptile Database (13 février 2014)[2] :
Crotalus viridis est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Viperidae. La sous-espèce Crotalus viridis viridis est également nommée Crotale des prairies.
Žalioji barškuolė (lot. Crotalus viridis, angl. Prairie rattlesnake) – barškuolių (Crotalus) genties gyvatė, priklausanti angių (Viperidae) šeimai, duobagalvių angių (Crotalinae) pošeimiui. Labai nuodinga.
Kūnas apie 1 m ilgio, žaliai ir pilkos spalvos, išilgai nugaros su tamsiomis apskritomis skersinėmis dėmėmis.
Žalioji barškuolė paplitusi JAV nuo Oklahomos ir Kanzaso iki Ramiojo vandenyno pakrančių. Šiaurėje arealas pasiekia Kanadą, o pietuose – Meksiką. Gyvena įvairiuose biotopuose. Žinomi 9 porūšiai.
Gaudo smulkius graužikus (prerinius šuniukus, kiškių jauniklius), taip pat paukščius, varles, driežus ir vabzdžius. Prerinių šuniukų urvus naudoja slėptuvei ir žiemojimui. Vikiteka
Žalioji barškuolė (lot. Crotalus viridis, angl. Prairie rattlesnake) – barškuolių (Crotalus) genties gyvatė, priklausanti angių (Viperidae) šeimai, duobagalvių angių (Crotalinae) pošeimiui. Labai nuodinga.
Crotalus viridis é uma espécie de serpente venenosa da família Viperidae, presente no Canadá, Estados Unidos da América, e México.[1]
Crotalus viridis é uma espécie de serpente venenosa da família Viperidae, presente no Canadá, Estados Unidos da América, e México.
서부방울뱀(학명: Crotalus viridis)은 살무사과 살무사아과 방울뱀속에 속하는 유독성 뱀의 일종이다. 미국·캐나다 남부·로키산맥·멕시코 북부에 걸쳐서 서식한다. 승명아종인 대초원방울뱀(Crotalus viridis viridis)을 포함한 2갈래의 아종으로 나눠진다.[3]
서부방울뱀(학명: Crotalus viridis)은 살무사과 살무사아과 방울뱀속에 속하는 유독성 뱀의 일종이다. 미국·캐나다 남부·로키산맥·멕시코 북부에 걸쳐서 서식한다. 승명아종인 대초원방울뱀(Crotalus viridis viridis)을 포함한 2갈래의 아종으로 나눠진다.
