Crotalus molossus

(Black-tailed Rattlesnake)

Color Photograph: © Corel Corp.

Color Photographs: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Crotalus molossus (Black-tailed Rattlesnake)

Identification: Length 28 to 50 inches. Rattles present. Color green-yellow to gray. Tail and sometimes the snout black, contrasting with the color of the rest of the body. Body with irregular black or dark gray patches margined with a yellow to white margin and typically with a white or yellow scales in their centers.

Geographical Variation: None in North America.

Range (see map below): The Black-tailed Rattlesnake occurs in the southern halves of Arizona and New Mexico and extends eastward into southeastern Texas. The southern boundary of the species is in central Mexico.

Habitat:  This species is most commonly found in rocky, mountainous regions, particularly along limestone ledges. It is also found in dry streambeds, and shrubby canyons.

Food: Small mammals.

Behavior:  The Black-tailed Rattlesnake is apparently both nocturnal and diurnal, and is particularly common after rain falls. The species is less agressive than many other rattlesnakes.

Reproduction:  Young are born in the summer time and each female bears between 3 to 6 offspring.

Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus)

The contrastringly black tail is specific to this species. The tail of the Timber Rattlesnake is also commonly black, but this species occurs strictly east of the Mississippi River

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