Long-nosed Rattlesnake
Crotalus tigris
A regionally used name sometimes applied to slender-snouted rattlesnakes of arid terrain, most often referring to the tiger rattlesnake.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.5-0.9 m (1.6-3 ft)
- Range
- Arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The name "Long-nosed Rattlesnake" is occasionally used regionally for rattlesnakes with a relatively elongated snout profile found in arid parts of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, most commonly associated with the tiger rattlesnake. It is a small to medium rattlesnake adapted to rugged desert mountain terrain.
Its overall build and coloration allow it to blend effectively into rocky desert habitats where it hunts primarily by ambush.
How to identify it
- Slender build with a relatively small, somewhat elongated head compared to more heavy-bodied rattlesnakes
- Numerous narrow, dark crossbands or blotches along the body
- Grayish, tan, or lavender background coloration
- Elliptical pupils and heat-sensing pits
- Segmented rattle
- Distinguished from other desert rattlesnakes by slender build and fine banding pattern
Habitat & range
Inhabits rocky desert foothills, canyons, and arid mountain slopes in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Often found among boulder fields and desert scrub vegetation.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Primarily nocturnal in hot months, more crepuscular in cooler seasons. Feeds on lizards and small rodents. Reproduces via live birth. Generally secretive and relies on camouflage among rocky desert substrates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Long-nosed Rattlesnake a distinct species?
The name is used regionally and most often refers to rattlesnakes with slender, elongated snouts such as the tiger rattlesnake rather than a single formally recognized species.
Where would this snake be found?
In arid, rocky desert mountain habitat of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
What does it eat?
Primarily lizards and small rodents found in its rocky desert habitat.
How can it be recognized?
By its slender build, numerous narrow crossbands, and relatively small, elongated head.
Long-nosed Rattlesnake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Long-nosed Rattlesnake.
