Red diamond rattlesnake

Crotalus ruber
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Genus:	Crotalus
Species:	C. ruber
Binomial name
Crotalus ruber Cope, 1892
Synonyms
Caudisona atrox sonoraensis - Kennicott, 1861 Crotalus adamanteus atrox - Cope, 1875 Crotalus exsul - Garman, 1884 Crotalus adamanteus ruber - Cope, 1892 Crotalus ruber - Van Denburgh, 1896 Crotalus atrox ruber - Stejneger, 1895 Crotalus exsul - Grinnell & Camp, 1917 Crotalus atrox elegans - Schmidt, 1922 Crotalus exul ruber - Kallert, 1927 Crotalus ruber ruber - Klauber, 1949 Crotalus ruber elegans - Harris & Simmons, 1978 Crotalus ruber monserratensis - Harris & Simmons, 1978 Crotalus exsul exsul - Grismer, McGuire & Hollingsworth, 1994

Crotalus ruber is a venomous pit viper species found in southwestern California in the United States and Baja California in Mexico. Three subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

This moderately large species commonly exceeds 100 cm (39 in) on the mainland. Large males may exceed 140 cm (55 in), although specimens of over 150 cm (59 in) are quite rare. The largest specimen on record measured 162 cm (64 in) (Klauber, 1937).

Crotalus ruber is very similar in pattern to C. atrox, but it is distinguished by its reddish color, to which the specific name, ruber, refers. Also, the first lower labial scale on each side is transversely divided to form a pair of anterior chin shields.

The dorsal scales are usually arranged in 29 rows, but may vary from 25 to 31 rows. Ventrals range from 185 to 206.

Common names include: red diamond rattlesnake, red rattlesnake, red diamond snake, red diamond-backed rattlesnake, red rattler, and western diamond rattlesnake. The form found on Cedros Island, previously described as C. exsul, was referred to as the Cedros Island diamond rattlesnake, or Cedros Island rattlesnake.

Red Diamond Rattlesnakes are found in the United States in southwestern California and southward through the Baja California peninsula, although not in the desert east of the Sierra de Juárez in northeastern Baja California. It also inhabits a number of islands in the Gulf of California, including Angel de la Guarda, Pond, San Lorenzo del Sur, San Marcos, Danzante, Monserrate and San José. Off the west coast of Baja California, it is found on Isla de Santa Margarita, which is off Baja California Sur, and (as C. exsul) on Isla de Cedros.

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Wikipedia