Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus)
"...Instinctively feeling a snaky atmosphere, and finally discovered one rattler between my feet. But there was a bashful look in his eye, and a withdrawing, deprecating kink in his neck that showed plainly as words could tell that he would not strike, and only wished to be let alone. I therefore passed on, lifting my feet a little higher than usual, and left him to enjoy his life in this his own home." John Muir
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CV 30047
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 30044
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
Notice how yellow this snake is.
CV 30040
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 30038
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
If you look closely at this photo, you will notice that the eye is blue. This happens right before a snake sheds its skin. They secrete a lubricant to protect their eyes, as when they shed, the skin comes off their eyes as well as the rest of their body.
CV 30030
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
This snake has 7 rattles on its tail. It is probably 2-3 years old. Snakes add a new rattle every time they shed their skin. They shed from 1-4 times per year.
CV 30027
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 30019
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 30016
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
There are 9 rattles on this snakes tail. Also notice how yellow this snake is.
CV 30015
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 300013
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
This one is really different in color from the other snakes.
CV 30010
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
This snake was very interesting as it kept moving like a side winder.
CV 30009
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 30008
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 30007
Forked tongue beasty.
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 0006
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 30005Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
Adult rattlesnake and infant. Notice the difference in color.
CV 0038
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
Rattlesnakes come in a variety of color. Yellow, grey, greenish yellow, brown.
CV 0033
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 0027
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
Adult and infant (on the left) looking at adult.
CV 0025
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
Adult and infant. Notice the difference in colors.
CV 0024
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 0022
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 0019
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 0018
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 0016
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
When a snake feels threatened, it will cover its head with it's coils.
CV 0011
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 0007
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
CV 0005
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
When a snake feels threatened, it will cover its head with it's coils.
CV 0003
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
This snake's eye is blue because it is getting ready to shed its skin. They secrete a lubricant that protects the eye during shedding that prevents it from getting scratched.
When snakes are shedding they usually don't rattle or give any warning before they strike.
CV 0001
Prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus).
The adult is getting ready to shed its skin. Its eyes and the base of the rattle turn blue because of the lubricant they secrete to help with shedding. Do you see the infant in the coil of the adult?
CV 0497
Rattlesnakes. These are all very young rattlesnakes. They come in a variety of colors. If you look closely you can see the pre-button (black tail)on one of them
CV 0335
Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus viridus)