
Photo credit:
Johnathan Bolton
Common name
Tiger Rattlesnake
Scientific name
Crotalus tigris
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Federal and State Protections
N/A
Countries of Occurrence
United States of America, Mexico
Adult size
18in (46cm) to 36in (91cm)
States or Providence
Arizona (USA), Sonora (MX), possibly in extreme southwestern New Mexico (USA) and extreme northwestern Chihuahua (MX)
Counties
Species Description
The Tiger Rattlesnake is a relatively small species of rattlesnake, noticeable due to its heavy banding all the way down the body, small head and proportionally large rattle. They are primarily nocturnal, and can be found in mesquite grasslands, thornscrub and dry oak forests.
Their venom is one of, if not the most deadly of any rattlesnake species and potentially of any pit viper species. It is comprised of a neurotoxic-myotoxic cocktail which causes paralysis. However, they inject only a low dose and like other species of rattlesnake, Tiger Rattlesnakes are very mild-tempered and unlikely to strike.