
Photo credit:
Jesus Gordolomi
Common name
Isla Coronado Rattlesnake/Mexican Insular Rattlesnake
Scientific name
Crotalus oreganus caliginis
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Federal and State Protections
Countries of Occurrence
Mexico
States or Providence
Baja California
Counties
Tijuana municipality
Adult size
61.9cm (24in) - 91cm (36in)
Species Description
This dimunitive species is only found on South Coronado Island off the coast of Mexico in the Pacific Ocean!
Much smaller than its mainland cousins, the Coronado Island rattlesnake is between 2 to 3 feet long. This subspecies diverged about 0.84 million years ago. South Coronado Island is rocky with little vegetation.
This subspecies has a venom high in myotoxins, designed to quickly incapacitate prey and prevent their escape. The diet of the Coronado Island rattlesnake likely consists of more lizards and birds than that of mainland C. oreganus.