A small, high-altitude rattlesnake of the sky-island pine forests on the U.S.-Mexico border, with a row of paired dark blotches along the back.
Description
The twin-spotted rattlesnake is a slim grey or tan rattlesnake under 75 cm, marked along the back with paired dark grey-brown blotches that share a pale stripe between them. The head is small and triangular, and the rattle produces a high, thin buzz suited to the species small size.
Behavior
A diurnal hunter of montane talus slopes, the twin-spotted rattlesnake takes lizards, mice, and small ground-foraging birds. It is shy and quickly retreats when approached. The high elevation of its habitat keeps activity limited to mid-summer when warmth and prey are available.
Range
Restricted to the sky-island mountain ranges of southeastern Arizona and adjacent Mexico, from about 1,800 to 3,000 m elevation. Climate change is shrinking suitable montane habitat across this fragmented range.
Find more snakes by letter
Twin-spotted Rattlesnake starts with T and ends with E. Browse other snakes along the same letter.
Snakes that contain a letter from "Twin-spotted Rattlesnake":