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

States or Providence 

Arizona (USA), Sonora (MX), possibly in extreme southwestern New Mexico (USA) and extreme northwestern Chihuahua (MX)

Counties

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Adult size

18in (46cm) to 36in (91cm)

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.