Northern Pacific rattlesnake

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rattlesnake

photo by: Leslie Bigos

Crotalus o. oreganus Northern Pacific rattlesnake

Key ID features:

  • heavy bodied with large dark spots
  • wide triangular head
  • distinct eye stripe
  • rattle at tail tip
  • venomous.
  • ventral (belly) scales light colored with dark blotches
  • dorsal (back) scales- strongly keeled
  • vertical pupil
  • has a heat-sensitive pit on face

Cryptic coloration varies on habitat.