Midget Faded Rattlesnake/Western Rattlesnake

Crotalus oreganus concolor

 

Field ID: Small snake with pattern of large brown blotches down back; smaller blotches on sides. In Colorado, body has a reddish or pinkish tinge. Head is wide and flat; neck is narrow. Horny, segmented rattle on end of tail. Size: 16–26 inches (40.6–66 cm).

 

Habitat: Grasslands, shrublands, canyons, mesas, piñon-juniper woodlands, open coniferous woodlands.

 

Distribution: West-central Colorado, primarily Mesa, Delta, and Garfield counties.

 

Field Notes: In Colorado, the western rattlesnake is represented only by a small subspecies, the midget faded rattler, which was formerly considered a subspecies of prairie rattlesnake. It is differentiated from a prairie rattler mainly by its small size, coloration, and limited range. However, identification can be very challenging, as the range of the prairie rattlesnake overlaps that of the midget faded, and prairie rattlers are highly variable in their coloration and size. The habits and behavior of the midget faded rattlesnake are largely the same as those of the prairie rattlesnake.

 

WARNING: This venomous snake should not be approached or handled.

 

Legal Status: Species of special concern. Rattlesnakes can be killed without a license when necessary to protect life or property.