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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
canebrake
rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, velvet-tail rattlesnake |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Reptilia |
| ORDER: |
Squamata |
| FAMILY: |
Viperidae [Subfamily Crotalidae] |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Crotalus (rattle) horridus (rough
or prickly) atricaudatus |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
The canebrake rattlesnake is a heavy-bodied snake.
Color is pale grayish-brown to pink, with a pattern
of dark-brown to black V-shaped cross bands and
a russet stripe down the centerline of the back.
(The rusty stripe distinguishes a canebrake from
a common timber rattler.) A broad, dark stripe angles
back from the eye, and the tail is velvety black. |
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| SIZE: |
Adults average 1.2 m (4 ft.) in length, but some
individuals reach lengths of 180 cm (6 ft.) |
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| WEIGHT: |
Average weight is 2.3 kg (5 lb.); maximum is 4.5
kg (10 lb.) |
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| DIET: |
Canebrake rattlers are carnivorous, feeding on small
mammals and birds such as rabbits, rice rats, and
birds. |
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| INCUBATION: |
2 months
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| Reproduction
is ovoviviparous - the young develop in eggs that
the female retains inside her boy. The young hatch
from the eggs, then the mother gives birth to the
live young. |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
4-17
young are born at a time |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
3-9 years |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
10-15
years, depending on the size of the snake |
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| RANGE: |
Canebrakes range from the northernmost portion of
Florida and west central U.S. to Texas. |
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| HABITAT: |
They inhabit lowland areas such as edges of marshes
and swamps, cane thickets, wooded hillsides, heavy
timber, and dead tree hollows. |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
No
data |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Not listed |
| CITES |
Not listed |
| USFWS |
Not listed |
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| 1. |
Rattlesnakes are classified as pit vipers because
of facial pits found below and between the eye and
nostril on both sides of the head. The pit is highly
sensitive to infrared radiation (heat) and serves
as a direction finder in locating warm-blooded prey
or predators. |
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| 2. |
Rattlesnakes have a special feeding system based
on venom, injected into prey through teeth called
fangs. |
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| 3. |
When approached, rattlesnakes normally remain
motionless and quiet, relying on excellent camouflage.
If cornered however, they will stand their ground.
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| 4. |
The
rattlesnake uses its rattle to warn other animals
of its presence, so it doesn't have to waste venom
on defense. |
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| 5. |
The
rattle is a series of hard segments made of keratin.
A new segment is added each time a snake sheds its
skin. When shaken, the segments vibrate against
each other, producing a familiar buzz. |
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| 6. |
Don't
be fooled by the rattling motion - there are several
snake species (black racer, milk snake, hognose)
that vibrate their tails when cornered. |
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| 7. |
The
age of a rattlesnake is not evident by the size
or number of segments in its rattle. The rattle
is often broken off after a couple of years. An
adult rattlesnake that has the original button at
the tip of its tail is rare. |
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These snakes are an important food source for
hawks, owls, foxes, coyotes, and raccoons.
Canebrake
rattlesnake populations are believed to be in
decline in many states. Pet trade and killing
out of fear are a large problem facing them today.
In
addition, habitat destruction and hunting for
sport, skin, and meat collection are threats to
canebrake rattler populations.
These
snakes, as with other species of rattlers, are
also destroyed by annual "rattlesnake round-ups"
that occur in several states in the U.S. Proceeds
from these events often benefit several prominent
charity organizations.
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| |
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|
|
Ashton,
Ray Jr. and Patricia Sawyer Ashton. Reptiles
and Amphibians of Florida: Part One, the Snakes.
Miami. Windward Pub., 1988.
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Mehrtens, John M. Living Snakes of the World.
New York. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 1987. |
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Tyning, Thomas F. Conservation of the Timber
Rattlesnake in the Northeast. Massachusetts
Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA. 1990.
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| http://www.adventureware.com/rattler.htm |
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| Houston
Zoo. www.houstonzoo.org/reptiles/pages/cnbrrtls.htm |
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| http://jbfishing.com/snakes/canebrake.htm |
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