Crotalus horridus is my favorite herp and is one of the only snakes that I have a fondness for. They have dark, V-shaped bands running dorsally along their body. Their base color may be yellow, brown, tan, gray, or black (melanistic). They are found in the South ranging from the east coast to the mid-west, and may be found North as far as New York in the East and Wisconsin in the West (see range map)
The venom of the rattlesnakes is generally hemotoxic and causes necrosis (cell death) and interferes with blood clotting, which causes excessive bleeding.
They are found in deciduous forests and other rugged terrain. Females are known to bask in the sun when gravid, whereas males prefer cool, damp places to hide.
They feed primarily on small mammals, birds, frogs, and other snakes. IUCN lists them as "least concern" due to their abundance and wide range, but they are considered endangered in Ohio, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Indiana in addition to being threatened in several other states.
Finding one of these could make or break my day depending on how the encounter goes, but the overall experience would be unforgettable. I have included some pictures of some cool looking individuals for your entertainment.
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