
Photo credit:
Ricardo Ramírez Chaparro of HERP.MX
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Common name
Cerralvo rattlesnake
Scientific name
Crotalus enyo cerralvensis
Conservation Status
Federal and State Protections
Amenazada (A) - Mexico
Countries of Occurrence
Mexico
States or Providence
Baja California
Counties
Isla Ceralvo
Adult size
45.7 (18in) - 76.2cm (30in)
Species Description
This 1.5-2.5 ft long rattlesnake is only found on Isla Ceralvo, also known as Pearl Island for its history. The species feeds on lizards, mammals, and sometimes centipedes regardless of their size rather than switching from lizards to mammals as most rattlesnakes do. Cerralvo rattlesnakes give birth to 2-7 young, and neonates can be found between July and October.
Fun fact: This little-known rattlesnake was last suggested to be elevated to full-species status by Beaman and Grismer, 1994. This recommendation is because of its larger head to body ratio than the other subspecies of this snake and because it is not currently exchanging genes with the mainland subspecies. Based on our research, it has not yet been categorized as its own species.