A small Venezuelan rattlesnake of dry savanna habitats, named for the Uracoa River in Monagas state.
Description
The Uracoan rattlesnake is a small, slim rattlesnake under 80 cm with a sandy yellow background and a row of darker brown diamond markings outlined in cream along the back. The head is small and the rattle proportionately delicate, suited to a slim body.
Behavior
Active mostly at dawn and dusk, the Uracoan rattlesnake hunts small rodents and lizards across grassland clearings. Its venom is unusually rich in toxins that affect blood platelets, and bites have a slow but severe progression of bleeding complications without antivenom treatment.
Range
Restricted to a small portion of northeastern Venezuela in the lowlands of Monagas and Anzoategui states. Habitat loss and persecution have reduced the species across its limited range, and it is now classed as Vulnerable.
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Uracoan Rattlesnake starts with U and ends with E. Browse other snakes along the same letter.
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