Prairie Rattlesnake

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.