A herper friend of mine In Arizona sent me this photo and asked what I thought the species might be.
All I can tell you is that this snake was found in Green Valley, AZ. My friend has no other information, and has only seen this one photo of it.
Any ideas?
Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
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- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Black tail x WD? Looks nuts....
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Atrox/Cerberus Hybrid? It looks very atrox. It also looks very cerberus.
Nicholas
Nicholas
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
I though that too, but I'm trying to think of snakes found in Green Valley.RobertH wrote:Atrox/Cerberus Hybrid? It looks very atrox. It also looks very cerberus.
Nicholas
- John Delgado
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
cerberus X atrox ... maybe.
Just a bit south and out of region for cerberus ... but FWIW ... that dorsal and side panel is cerberus, and the tail of course is classic WDB
A relocated cerberus finds a home in the den of atrox and mates with ... close vicinity region ... not impossible.
Fascinating picture.
Just a bit south and out of region for cerberus ... but FWIW ... that dorsal and side panel is cerberus, and the tail of course is classic WDB
A relocated cerberus finds a home in the den of atrox and mates with ... close vicinity region ... not impossible.
Fascinating picture.
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
I didn't catch the Green Valley part.
Nicholas
Nicholas
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
I also wouldn't be surprised if it was just a very dark atrox though. That would be my best guess.
Nicholas
Nicholas
- ratsnakehaven
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
My guess is atrox. No cerbs in GV. It's also a pretty young snake.
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Input from other sources is leaning towards a dark atrox.
I'm told that this animal may end up at the Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson. If it does, we may get an answer.
In the meantime, it's interesting to hear everyone's responses.
I'm told that this animal may end up at the Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson. If it does, we may get an answer.
In the meantime, it's interesting to hear everyone's responses.
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Dark Atrox is possible, but young Atrox are so different. Perhaps a pet hybrid release. Another thought is photo shop, but if they have the snake then it's real. Whatever it is, it is a great find. Keep us posted.....
- Bryan Hamilton
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
I don't see much atrox in that snake, alot more oreganus(y).
How far are the nearest cerberus from Green Valley?
Hopefully someone will analyze the DNA?
How far are the nearest cerberus from Green Valley?
Hopefully someone will analyze the DNA?
- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
The nearest natural cerberus habitat I'm aware of is about 30 miles north of Green Valley in the Catalina Mountains.
Who's to say this isn't an escapee Hybrid? Anything's possible these days.
From what I know, this snake was removed from someone's residence by the GV Fire Department. I'm told they still have it and will be sending it to the Desert Museum in Tucson.
I assume we'll eventually find out what it is.
Who's to say this isn't an escapee Hybrid? Anything's possible these days.
From what I know, this snake was removed from someone's residence by the GV Fire Department. I'm told they still have it and will be sending it to the Desert Museum in Tucson.
I assume we'll eventually find out what it is.
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Most on the crote site on facebook think aberrant atrox.
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Seems like there's a bit of reaching for exotic explanations. The simplest and most likely is "slightly weird atrox". A bit aberrant.
- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
I agree with the "slightly weird atrox" ID. I'm betting that's what it turns out to be.
- Jeremy Wright
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Any chance there is some Mojave in this guy? Definitely weird.
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Most on the crote page on facebook say dark atrox....
- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Update -
Latest from the folks at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is that they believe this is a dark atrox. They're holding the snake to get a molt to send in for DNA testing.
Will keep you posted with any new news.
Latest from the folks at the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum is that they believe this is a dark atrox. They're holding the snake to get a molt to send in for DNA testing.
Will keep you posted with any new news.
Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake by California Reptile & Amphibian Appreciation, on Flickr
Could be a natural hybrid from a snake released in a county far from its range by someone who decided they no longer could keep it after taking it home. locals in the Sacramento before my time have always said there used to be Diamondback at Folsom Lake. That may hold some water on some level.
Could be a natural hybrid from a snake released in a county far from its range by someone who decided they no longer could keep it after taking it home. locals in the Sacramento before my time have always said there used to be Diamondback at Folsom Lake. That may hold some water on some level.
- Steve Bledsoe
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- John Martin
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
Something about this snake just doesn't look right (to me) to be 100% atrox. I'm really looking forward to see what the DNA analysis says...
- Steve Bledsoe
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Re: Arizona Rattlesnake ID Help
I'm told that a scale count analysis is indicating atrox. The DNA analysis will indeed be interesting.