Crotalus willardi

Crotalus willardi is a venomous pit viper species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. This snake is found mainly in the "sky island" region. The IUCN reports this snake's conservation status as being of Least Concern. It is the official state reptile of Arizona.

Etymology

The specific name, willardi, is in honor of its discoverer, "Professor" Frank Cottle Willard, a businessman from Tombstone, Arizona.

Taxonomy

Originally described in 1905, Crotalus willardi is the most recent rattlesnake species to be discovered in the United States. Five subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies, Crotalus willardi willardi, described here. C. w. willardi is commonly known as the Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake, and is the state reptile of Arizona.

Description

Crotalus willardi is a rather small rattlesnake with all subspecies measuring one to two feet in length. Color patterns are generally a dark brown base with pale or white horizontal striping, but vary slightly among subspecies. It has the odd distinction of being named last as a new species, as there is no mistaking the clear cut ridge that follows the contour of its snout, a ridge formed by turning up the scales on the end of its nose.

Habitat

C. willardi is rarely found outside habitats at high elevation. Wooded mountain ranges, primarily in the southwest, are where this reclusive species is found. Each subspecies' range is limited to select mountain ranges, making human encounters rare events.

Conservation status

The species C. willardi is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because they are unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend was stable when assessed in 2007.
Although four of the five subspecies are secure, the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake is an endangered subspecies and listed as threatened by the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Remaining populations are scattered throughout New Mexico, Arizona and the northern part of Mexico. Habitat destruction is the cause of declining numbers, but critical habitat designations have been proposed.

Behavior and diet

Rattlesnakes are primarily ambush hunters; they coil and lie waiting for prey to approach within striking distance. The diet of C. willardi includes small mammals, lizards, birds, and large centipedes. The young feed primarily on large centipedes and lizards, whereas adults feed primarily on mammals and birds.

Reproduction

Like other rattlesnakes, C. willardi is ovoviviparous, meaning it gives birth and does not lay eggs. Contrasting with viviparous animals, the young still develop within an egg inside the female snake until their time of birth. Copulation occurs from late summer to early fall, and gestation lasts about four to five months. Females give birth to two to 9 young in late July or August. Both sexes appear to reach reproductive maturity around 400 mm in body length. Although captive snakes have reproduced annually, wild females probably reproduce every second or third year.

Venom

Due to the generally small size of C. willardi, venom discharge yields are low; thus, the largely hemotoxic venom is not as life-threatening as that of other rattlesnakes. No documented deaths have been caused by ridge-nosed rattlesnakes, but pain and discomfort can still result from a rare bite.