Twin-Spotted Rattlesnake

• Protected in AZ

• Diurnal

• Lizard eater but will eat mammals and birds

Great Basin Rattlesnake

• Subspecies of Western Rattlesnake

• Widest-ranging rattlesnakes in Western US, being found in AZ, CA, NV, OR, ID, and UT.

• In AZ, this snake is only found in the extreme North Western Basin desert and Arizona Strip regions, up to 8,000 feet in elevation.

• Coloration varies heavily

Banded Rock Rattlesnake

• Rely heavily on their camouflate

• Will often not strike or even rattle their tails unless physically harassed

• Protected in AZ

Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake

• AZ state reptile

• Sky islands

• Primarily eats lizards, mice, and centipedes

• Protected in AZ

Grand Canyon Rattlesnake

• Subspecies of Western Rattlesnake

• Light tan or light brown

• Found within the Grand Canyon, Paria River Drainages, and Glen Canyon areas of Northern Arizona.

Hopi Rattlesnake

• Subspecies of Prairie Rattlesnake

• Northeastern Arizona

• Primarily nocturnal

• Small, up to 28 inches

Albino Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

• The white appearance is caused by a genetic mutation that prevents the animal from producing melanin, the dark pigment in their skin.

• Although this mutation does occur in the wild, the animals rarely survive to reproduce.

Massasauga

• Range appears to be shrinking in AZ

• Protected in AZ

• Few isolated populations in SE AZ

• Mostly eat lizards, centipedes, and small mammals

Speckled Rattlesnake

• Live in rocky areas near mountains or hillsides

• Common in the Camelback Mt region, South Mountain area, and other parts of the valley.

• Highly variable in color, from a white/grey in South Mountain and White Tanks areas, brown in North Phoenix, and orange and red going North into Cave Creek and the Anthem areas.

• They have a loosly banded pattern that is highly flecked to resemble granite within their habitat.

• Usually small, with adults being typically around 2 feet in length.

Sidewinder

• Scales above the eyes and hornlike

• Found in flat, open desert usually near dunes

• Tracks left in sand are "j" shaped.

Tiger Rattlesnake

• Lives in many of the same rocky, mountainous areas as the Speckled Rattlesnake.

• Seldom seen, but live in most of the Phoenix mountain areas and desert parks

• Often confused with the Speckled Rattlesnake, the banding is more apparent throughout the body. Usually grey with varying degrees of pink, orange, or brown.

Arizona Black Rattlesnake

• Found at higher elevations in AZ, in chapparal, conifer and evergreen forests.

• Commonly seen in mountains of North Phoenix

• Often incorrectly referred to as a “timber rattlesnake.”

• Coloration is light as a young snake, being tan or grey with brown circles down the back. As adult, they darken to a deep brown color to completely black.

• Darker coloration allows is to absorb heat from the sun at cooler high elevations.

Mohave Rattlesnake

• AKA Mojave green

• Confused for similar-looking Western Diamondback

• Commonly seen in flat, sandy desert scrub areas, and less likely seen in mountainous or rocky regions

• Stripes are generally 2:1 white to black, while diamondbacks are 50:50 white to black

• Reputation of being an overly dangerous snake, as it is quick to become defensive

Prairie Rattesnake

• Grasslands in NE AZ

• Hibernate in larger groups 100s

• Wide-spread and extremely variable species, found in the Northeastern portions of Arizona, East of the Colorado River

• In AZ, mostly found at higher elevations, between 4,500 and 9,000 feet, inhabiting nearly every habitat type within their range

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

• Commonly encountered in the Phoenix area

• Sometimes called "coon-tail" rattlesnake

• Can be identified by the rattle, white and black striped tail, and white lined diamond pattern on the back

• Coloration is usually drab shades of brown or grey.

• Often mistaken for Mojave Rattlesnake

• Generally quick to be defensive

Black-Tailed Rattlesnake

• Lives in mountainous areas and surrounding foothills and rarely found in flat desert areas

• Have a solid black tail area just before the rattle, as opposed to rings or stripes

• Usually calm, but will stand their ground when threatened