Why is the New Mexican ridge-nosed rattlesnake endangered?
It is listed because of its limited geographic range and the supposed threat to it of overcollection for the reptile trade.
How many Ridge-nosed rattlesnakes are there?
Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies, Crotalus willardi willardi, described here. C. w. willardi is commonly known as the Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake, and is the state reptile of Arizona.
Where does the ridge-nosed rattlesnake live?
The ridge-nosed rattlesnake is a small North American pit viper, Crotalus willardi, inhabiting high mountain woodlands in southeastern Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, and Chihuahua and Sonora in Mexico.
Is a taipan snake venomous?
‘Taipan’ is the name given to these snakes by Aboriginal people of Cape York Peninsula. The Coastal Taipan is also called the Eastern Taipan. Taipans belong to the Elapidae family of snakes. Members of this family are all venomous, with relatively short fixed fangs at the front of the jaw.
Does Arizona have a state snake?
Official State Reptile of Arizona First known to science in 1905, this small brown snake is one of the most primitive rattlesnakes found in the United States The Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake is a unique species which is an important and irreplaceable part of North America’s natural heritage.
What kind of rattlesnakes live in Arizona?
- Rattlesnake Species.
- Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis)
- Speckled Rattlesnake (Crotalus mitchelli)
- Twin-spotted Rattlesnake (Crotalus pricei)
- Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
- Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus)
- Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)
- Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus)
What rattlesnakes are endangered?
The eastern massasauga rattlesnake has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Threatened species are animals and plants that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.
Are rattlesnakes endangered in Arizona?
The New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake is the only subspecies that is endangered. The other 4, including the Arizona ridge-nosed, are secure in their populations.
What is the most poisonous snake?
The saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus) may be the deadliest of all snakes, since scientists believe it to be responsible for more human deaths than all other snake species combined. Its venom, however, is lethal in less than 10 percent of untreated victims, but the snake’s aggressiveness means it bites early and often.
Are there any rattlesnakes left in New Mexico?
Although four of the five subspecies are secure, the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake (C. w. obscurus) is an endangered subspecies and listed as threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Remaining populations are scattered throughout New Mexico, Arizona and the northern part of Mexico.
Where can I find a ridge nosed rattlesnake?
The last and most debated subspecies to be described was C. w. obscurus (New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake), in reference to the lack of facial stripes that are characteristic of other subspecies. It is found in three mountain ranges on the borders of Arizona, New Mexico, Sonora, and Chihuahua.
Is it illegal to own a ridge nosed rattlesnake in Arizona?
In México it is federally protected, while in the Unites States it is afforded state and federal protection. Under Arizona Game and Fish Department regulations, it is illegal to collect or possess a Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake without specific authorization. C. w.
Where was the Del Nido ridge nosed rattlesnake found?
In 1959, James D. Anderson collected a specimen of C. willardi from the Sierra del Nido in northwestern Chihuahua. In 1962, he described this isolated population as C. w. amabilis (Del Nido Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake), in reference to its beauty.