Crotalus pusillus

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Crotalus pusillus
C. pusillus in Michoacán, Mexico
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Crotalus
Species:
C. pusillus
Binomial name
Crotalus pusillus

Crotalus pusillus, or the Tancitaran Dusky Rattlesnake, is a

pit viper species found in west-central Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized.[3]

Description

Adult males may grow to more than 50 cm (20 in) in length, while females are smaller. The largest recorded length for a specimen was 68.2 cm (26.9 in).[4]

Behavior

Campbell and Lamar (2004) found this species only to be active during the day. Within its range, night temperatures are low and seem to restrict its activity.[4]

Geographic range

It is found in west-central

type locality is reported as "Tancítaro, Michoacán, Mexico, altitude 5,000 ft" (5,000 ft = 1,524 m).[2] It occurs at elevations between 1,525 and 2,380 metres (5,003 and 7,808 ft).[4]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The population trend was unknown when assessed in 2007.[5]

References

Further reading

  • Klauber, L.M. 1952. Taxonomic studies on rattlesnakes of Mainland Mexico. Bull. Zool. Soc. San Diego 26:1-143.

External links