Mojave Rattlesnake

venomous · desert · reptile · pitviper

Venomous pit viper. The Mojave rattlesnake belongs to a special group of snakes called pitvipers that have heat-sensing pits along their face, helping them find warm-blooded prey in the dark.

Potent neurotoxic venom. This snake's venom is particularly dangerous because it attacks both the muscles and the nervous system of its prey, making it one of the most toxic rattlesnakes in North America.

Desert dweller. Mojave rattlesnakes live in hot, dry desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico, where they hide under rocks and in burrows during the day.

Distinctive rattle. Like all rattlesnakes, Mojave rattlesnakes have a segmented rattle at the tip of their tail that vibrates as a warning when they feel threatened.

Ambush hunter. These snakes are sit-and-wait hunters that use their heat-sensing pits to detect small mammals like lizards and rodents before striking with lightning speed.