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Photo credit:

Dick Bartlett

Common name

El Muerto Island Rattlesnake

Scientific name

Crotalus muertensis

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Federal and State Protections

Range Map

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Countries of Occurrence

Mexico

Adult size

Up to 61cm (24in)

States or Providence 

Baja California

Counties

El Muerto Island

Species Description

The El Muerto Island rattlesnake is very small, staying under 2 feet long as mature adults. They occur on El Muerto Island in the Sea of Cortez off of Baja California. The island is quite small, and the habitat is rocky and very hilly with some inaccessible areas. Crotalus muertensis is well-adapted to the rocky hillsides and arid conditions of this island.

Introduced feral cats likely play a negative role on this species presence on the island--if not through direct confrontation, then presumably through competition for native prey.

This species exhibits insular dwarfism, a phenomenon resulting in a significant decrease in size from their nearest relatives. Dwarfism correlates with small island size, competition among its own species, and abundance of smaller prey items.

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