Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

A large (5 to 7 feet), defensive snake with a loud hiss, that vibrates its tail when nervous producing a loud whirring sound when in leaves or grasses, and that has large heavily keeled scales, and a feisty disposition. Much time is spent in rodent burrows. If disturbed while above ground it will often elevate its head well above body level and strike savagely from a modified coil. If sufficiently angered it may, while striking, actually move toward a person. This snake has a yellowish head with an enlarged rostral (nosetip) scale, a yellowish ground color and prominent reddish-brown dorsal saddles. Belly is yellow with prominent black spots.

Unique Features:

Large size, heavily keeled large scales, enlarged rostral (nose-tip) scale will help with identification at least to genus.

Habitat and Diet:

A wanderer that may be seen as it emerges from rodent burrows or crossed roadways in prairie and desert regions.

Geographic Range:

TX, AZ, CA, NM