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Crotalus willardi |
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| Range: |  Found in the Peloncillos and Animas Mountains of Hidalgo County |
| Other Names: | |
| Subspecies: | New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake Crotalus willardi obscurus |
| Description: | 15-25.5". Gray above with whitish crossbars edged with dark brown or black; crossbars merge with color on sides. A ridge contours the snout. Scales keeled. Young sometimes have have a bright yellow tail. |
| Similar Species: | The pronounced canthal ridge and unique facial pattern will distinguish this from any other rattlesnake in New Mexico. |
| Venom: | |
| Habitat: | Montane canyons. |
| Behavior: | Young will use their bright yellow tail as a caudal lure. Generally secretive. They are more likely to rattle and try to escape than coil and strike. They will dive deep into talus, but continue to rattle. |
| Hibernation: | Known to hibernate in talus slides 40-46 cm deep. They will come to the surface to bask in 6-9 °C (shade) and 26 °C(sun) |
| Reproduction: | Live bearing; 2-9 young born July-September. |
| Diet: | Eats small mammals, birds, lizards, scorpions, centipedes and insects. |
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