Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma, commonly known as the Western Cottonmouth or Water moccasin, is thick-bodied like others on this list, but maintains complexions of saw-like edges and bands difficult to see with the naked eye. These snakes are visible with their lighter cream pinstripes, big white mouths, and elliptical pupils, and do stand out with massive triangular heads that make it easy to confuse with Floridian species or other dark-colored snakes near bodies of water.
Username: Bobita Published on 2024-11-25 20:48:07 ID NUMBER: 125741
Travelers who love to visit new states in the US may find plenty of worthwhile destinations and ideas when considering the South Central region. States like Oklahoma are a must-visit in the region, as it boasts iconic landmarks and quirky sights that will always bring smiles to familiar or unfamiliar faces. While the state offers vibrant getaway amenities, it also has wildlife and dangerous reptiles lurking about, particularly snakes. These venomous slitherers in the "Sooner State" are the ones to look out for!
The Broad-Banded Copperhead, or Agkistrodon contortrix laticinctus, is named for its copper-red pigments and light tan body coloration. The reptile is unique for its less thin bands across the spine within the Copperhead subspecies. Copperheads like these are known for using their tails to attract food and prey; they also enjoy wiggling their bodies like a caterpillar to attract unsuspecting victims. They measure about 2 to 3 feet in length and typically have banding narrows with hourglass designs.
Desert Massasaugas (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii) are reptiles of the Viperidae family that measure 1.5 to 2.5 feet in length and are known for their heavy bodies that are marked with dark brown blotches across their spines. They have crossbands that appear on the tail and are usually outlined in black with a rattle on their tail. Two stripes going down to the neck area make it easy to spot them from others. They possess elliptical pupils, and just as other pit vipers do, they enjoy using their heat-sensing nostril pits.
The Osage Copperhead, scientifically referred to as Agkistrodon contortrix phaeogaster, is a light tan snake similar to the Broad-Banded species but has a unique aspect with its clear yellow coat instead of being black. These species are greenish-yellow with similar wiggling formations to Broad-Banded ones, but they are also possible to find without any spotted marks or blotches. The tips of their tails are meant to wiggle to trick nearby predators into thinking they are "juicy worms." These snakes measure the same as Broad-Banded types at 2 to 3-foot lengths.
The Prairie Rattlesnake, or Crotalus viridis, is a venomous species in Oklahoma, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Wyoming, and a few other states. These snakes are very noticeable in the open with oval, squarish, or hexagonal dark brown blotches along the spine and ringing tails. These snakes measure 1.5 to 5.5 feet in length and are known for preying on small mammals, lizards, and ground avians. They prefer grasslands, rocky outcrop dwellings, and sometimes even prairie dog towns; they are big fans of wintry seasonal habitats and enjoy wooded mountainous areas with moderate vegetation.
The Southern Copperhead is yet another member of the Copperhead family, designated as Agkistrodon contortrix contortrix. It measures at about 2.5 to 3 feet in length, with the possibility of growing up to 4 feet or 53 inches. These snakes are known for their light tan and pinkish-tan pigments, with dark brown and reddish-brown band layers. The Southern Copperhead is similar to others with its hourglass markings and is seen in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and a couple of other states.
The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is no stranger to travelers, as it is a thick-bodied reptile with 3 to 5-foot lengths that can reach up to 6 feet at times. Timbers are recognizable by their yellowish-brown tints, dark black botches, velvet tails, and dark stripes descending and backward near the jawline. They can be discovered nearly anywhere on the eastern coast of the U.S. but also stretch to other states.
Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma, commonly known as the Western Cottonmouth or Water moccasin, is thick-bodied like others on this list, but maintains complexions of saw-like edges and bands difficult to see with the naked eye. These snakes are visible with their lighter cream pinstripes, big white mouths, and elliptical pupils, and do stand out with massive triangular heads that make it easy to confuse with Floridian species or other dark-colored snakes near bodies of water.
Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes, or Crotalus atrox, measure 3 to 5 feet long and can grow up to 7 feet. Known to be one of the largest rattlesnakes in the western U.S., these reptiles are quite scary! Even with their heavy bodies and diamond-backed patterns, their dark cheek stripes are quite noticeable. Most commonly found in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico, these rattlesnakes are quite a sight and are most often seen around dry mountain areas and prairies, as well as rocky canyon tourist zones.
The Western Massasauga or Sistrurus catenatus terminus is a light grey snake with 1.5 to 2.5-foot lengths that is observable with its white or cream features and scattered black markings. Similar to species like the Timber Rattlesnake, these types have diagonal cheek stripes going down and backward near the jaw. They like using their rattling tails to signal for noise and disruption and are hungry for frogs, lizards, and rodents.
Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri), also called "Ground Rattlers," are red or rusty-colored reptiles that have red stripes and a rattle that is somewhat quiet or unhearable from a distance. It is unique in that it possesses nine enlarged head scales, unlike most rattlesnakes. This snake is a fierce 1 to 2-foot length creature that can be discovered around the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky, Texas, and Tennessee.
Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma, commonly known as the Western Cottonmouth or Water moccasin, is thick-bodied like others on this list, but maintains complexions of saw-like edges and bands difficult to see with the naked eye. These snakes are visible with their lighter cream pinstripes, big white mouths, and elliptical pupils, and do stand out with massive triangular heads that make it easy to confuse with Floridian species or other dark-colored snakes near bodies of water.
This orchid is unique because it spends its entire life underground, except for its flowers. Found in Western Australia, it's rare due to its specific habitat needs. It's a fascinating example of nature's adaptability.
The Northwestern Crow stands around 17 inches tall, slightly smaller than the common crow. This type of crow nests primarily along the coasts of the northeastern Pacific Ocean, predominantly in forested areas near rivers.
Interestingly, the diet of this coastal crow differs slightly from that of its relatives. Aside from the typical crow menu, it forages along the shoreline to feed on clams, crustaceans, and sea urchins, employing different tactics to open them up.
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is a rattlesnake living in the arid landscapes of the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico. It is known for its diamond-shaped patterns and robust size, reaching up to 4 feet.
This type of rattlesnake earns its "coon tail" nickname due to its distinct tail pattern. The black and white banding resembles a raccoon's tail, hence the moniker.
The snake possesses a hemotoxic venom but uses it only when necessary. It is defensive and warns with its rattles before striking.
The snake is more active during cooler hours and feeds on small mammals, birds, lizards, and other snakes.
The Northwestern Neotropical Rattlesnake lives in Southwestern Mexico, with some staying at Sierra de Coalcomán, reaching elevations up to 6,500 feet. It has a unique skin coloration and can grow around 3.2 feet in length.
This type of rattlesnake is terrestrial and diurnal, feeding on rodents, birds, and lizards.
Crotalus culminatus syn. Crotalus durissus culminatus at the San Diego Zoo, California, USA
The Western Gray Squirrel boasts a striking silvery-gray coat and unique white belly. These squirrels live in mature forests along the western coastal areas of the United States, including California, Oregon, and Washington.
They eat seeds, nuts, acorns, pine cones, and the occasional fruit, berry, insect, or bird egg. Moreover, they bury food for later use, contributing to the health and growth of their forest homes.
During their mating season from late winter to early spring, young Western Gray Squirrels are born, symbolizing the renewal of life in the spring.
These squirrels have also adapted to the Sierra Nevada mountains. They prefer mature forests with ample shelter and food sources.
With the same word repeated thrice, its scientific name is effortlessly funny. Western lowland gorillas have lighter coats than other gorilla species. They have the widest range, covering over 700,000 square kilometers of lush rainforests across Central Africa.
Western lowland gorillas are umbrella species that protect other species around them. Unfortunately, logging and poaching threaten their existence.
The Western Lowland Gorilla is the nominate subspecies of the Western Gorillas found in Cameroon and other parts of Central Africa. It is also the smallest of the four subspecies.
This type of gorilla has black skin and coarse black hair except for the bare face, ears, hands, and feet. Notably, Snowflake, the unique albino gorilla from Equatorial Guinea, hailed from this species. Taken as a youngster to the Barcelona Zoo in 1966, Snowflake's pale form intrigued the world.
Contrary to previous beliefs that gorillas were non-territorial, studies have shown that their neighbors' locations influence their movements. They demonstrate a preference against feeding in areas visited by another group the same day, indicating a more nuanced territorial behavior4.
Interestingly, Western Lowland Gorillas show signs of tool use. A recorded instance in 2009 reveals a gorilla using a stick to gauge water depth while another used a bucket to collect water at Buffalo Zoological Gardens. This display of spontaneous tool utilization for drinking, particularly among younger females, provides a unique glimpse into gorilla cognition.
Lastly, a serious concern with western lowland gorillas is their link to zoonotic diseases. Scientists believe them to be one of the sources of HIV/AIDS transmission. This is attributed to the Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) in gorillas, which surprisingly resembles a strain present in HIV-1.
The Western Chimpanzee hails from West Africa - you can spot them from Senegal to Ghana. They thrive in varied habitats, be it dry and moist lowland tropical forests or forest galleries creeping into savannah woodlands.
Their diet is as diverse as their habitat. They are omnivorous, favoring fruits and sometimes leaves or bark. Mammals and insects also enter their platter, while dietary preferences vary among communities and seasons.
Populations of these subspecies form communities of about 12 to 84 individuals. Alarmingly, Western Chimpanzees are critically endangered5, with a steep drop of 6.53% yearly from 1990 to 2014. Primary threats include habitat destruction due to human activities, bushmeat poaching, and infectious diseases.
Despite their massive size, gorillas are peaceful, shy, and reserved. The genus gorilla comprises both the eastern and western gorilla species. Unfortunately, both are critically endangered species due to habitat loss, poaching, and disease.
Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma, commonly known as the Western Cottonmouth or Water moccasin, is thick-bodied like others on this list, but maintains complexions of saw-like edges and bands difficult to see with the naked eye. These snakes are visible with their lighter cream pinstripes, big white mouths, and elliptical pupils, and do stand out with massive triangular heads that make it easy to confuse with Floridian species or other dark-colored snakes near bodies of water.
