Grand Canyon Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus abyssus
A pink to salmon-colored rattlesnake found almost exclusively within the Grand Canyon, closely matching the region's distinctive red rock.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.6-1.1 m (2-3.6 ft)
- Range
- Grand Canyon region of northern Arizona
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Overview
The Grand Canyon Rattlesnake is a subspecies of the western rattlesnake notable for its striking pink or salmon coloration, which provides camouflage against the canyon's characteristic sandstone and shale formations.
Its range is largely confined to the Grand Canyon and surrounding plateau country, making it a regional specialty among rattlesnake enthusiasts and naturalists.
How to identify it
- Pale pink, salmon, or pale reddish-brown background
- Faint, poorly defined darker blotches along the back
- Blotches often nearly obscured by the pink base color
- Broad triangular head, elliptical pupils, heat-sensing pits
- Rattle at tail tip
- Distinguished from other western rattlesnake subspecies by its unusually pink hue matching Grand Canyon rock
Habitat & range
Restricted largely to the inner canyon and rim environments of the Grand Canyon, including rocky slopes, desert scrub, and pinyon-juniper woodlands. Found from the canyon floor up to higher rim elevations.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Crepuscular and nocturnal in warmer months, more diurnal in cooler seasons. Feeds on small mammals, birds, and lizards found among canyon rock ledges. Live-bearing, with young produced in late summer. Tends to rely heavily on camouflage against the pink and red canyon rock to avoid detection.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this rattlesnake pink?
Its pink to salmon coloration evolved to match the red sandstone and shale rock found throughout the Grand Canyon.
Is it found anywhere besides the Grand Canyon?
Its range is largely restricted to the Grand Canyon region and immediately surrounding plateau areas.
Is it a distinct species?
It is classified as a subspecies of the western rattlesnake, Crotalus oreganus.
What does it eat?
Small mammals, birds, and lizards found among the canyon's rocky terrain.
Grand Canyon Rattlesnake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Grand Canyon Rattlesnake.
