Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake
Crotalus willardi
A small, secretive rattlesnake of isolated 'sky island' mountain ranges, named for a distinctive ridge along its snout.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.3-0.6 m (1-2 ft)
- Range
- Sky island mountains of Arizona, New Mexico, USA, and northern Mexico
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake is a small pit viper restricted to isolated mountain ranges, known as sky islands, in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is named for a raised ridge of scales along the edge of its snout.
Due to its limited range and small, fragmented populations, it is considered a species of conservation concern in parts of its range.
How to identify it
- Reddish-brown to gray background with narrow, dark crossbands and a distinctive pale facial stripe
- Raised ridge of scales along the snout edge, giving the species its name
- Small head and slender body
- Heat-sensing pit between eye and nostril
- Vertically elliptical pupils
- Distinguished from other small rattlesnakes by the snout ridge and facial stripe pattern
Habitat & range
Found in pine-oak woodlands and montane canyons of isolated sky island mountain ranges in southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and adjacent northern Mexico, typically at higher elevations.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Active during the day, especially during the summer monsoon season. Feeds mainly on small lizards and occasionally small mammals. Viviparous, bearing small litters of live young. Secretive and rarely encountered due to its restricted, high-elevation habitat.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake?
It has a distinctive raised ridge of scales along the edge of its snout.
Where does it live?
It is restricted to isolated sky island mountain ranges in Arizona, New Mexico, and northern Mexico.
Is it considered at risk?
Yes, some populations are of conservation concern due to their small, fragmented, high-elevation ranges.
What does it eat?
It feeds mainly on small lizards and occasionally small mammals.
Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake.
