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Photo credit:

Eric Centenero Alcala

Common name

Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake

Scientific name

Crotalus catalinensis

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

Federal and State Protections

Threatened (Mexico)

Range Map

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Countries of Occurrence

Mexico

Adult size

22.4in (57cm) to 33.5in (85cm)

States or Providence 

Baja California Sur

Counties

Loreto Municipality

Species Description

The Santa Catalina Island rattlesnake is endemic to Isla Santa Catalina in the Gulf of California. It is an exceptionally slender, medium size rattlesnake. Among rattlesnakes, it is unique in that it lacks a functioning rattle-- the base "button" falls off with every new shed, preventing growth of the rattle.

Small mammals and lizards provide a stable food source for this species. It is also remarkable in that it is the most arboreal of the known rattlesnake species, often using trees and shrubs to hunt. Experts believe that this species arose from red diamond rattlesnakes (Crotalus ruber) which washed ashore on Isla Santa Catalina long ago.

It faces extinction due to illegal poaching and invasive predators (such as feral cats).

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