Western Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus
![[Western Rattlesnake]](/images/15ds.jpg)
Description
Distribution Range
General range map taken from CWHR.
Museum records taken from following institutions: CAS Herps, MVZ Herps.
Typical Elevation
We do not yet have enough records from distinct localities to calculate typical elevation. We need 13 more distinct localities.
Additional Information
Notes
The subspecies that occurs in our area is the Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus), frequently referred to as “Norpacs”.
It is possible that some specimens in the eastern part of the county have influence from the Great Basin Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus). The farthest east in the county that I have personally seen the species is in the vicinity of McArthur-Burney Falls, where I found a den site with several adults and a single neonate out basking. They did not appear to have any influence from that subspecies.
VENOMOUS
The Western Rattlesnake is lethaly venomous. A bite from one of these snakes can result in death, though death is very rare (death from bees and wasps are far more common.)
Do not attempt to handle this snake without the proper training. If this species is a problem in your yard, you can take action to reduce the liklihood of a bite to your family or your pets:
- Remove debris from around your property. Debris attracts rodents and snakes.
- If you have livestock, clean up any spilled feed immediately and store feed in sealed containers away from areas where your children and pets play. Spilled feed attracts rodents which attract snakes.
- Remove weeds and overgrowth, keep lawn well cut.
- Install a silt fence around the areas where your children and pets play.
Some people like to obtain Common Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) and release them on their property. Please do not. The Common Kingsnake does feed upon the Western Rattlesnake, but the Common Kingsnake is already widespread throughout Shasta County. Releasing additional specimens in your area will simply mean some have to die (likely the ones you release) because there are already as many as the habitat supports. It is also against the law in California to release wildlife without express written permission from the Department of Fish & Game.
If You Are Bitten
If you are bitten, it is important not to panic and to remain calm. Do not try to suck the venom out, do not cut the wound, do not apply a tourniquet, do not apply heat or cold packs. Keep the bite below the heart and immobilize the bitten area. Remove any rings or bracelets, the bite will cause swelling.
For more information, see http://www.whmentors.org/saf/snakes.html.
Images
Unless otherwise noted, all images are of wild specimens in Shasta County.
Please be kind, do not hotlink images and do not use images without permission of the copyright owner.
![[Western Rattlesnake]](/images/15sm.jpg)
![[Western Rattlesnake]](/images/51sm.jpg)
![[Western Rattlesnake]](/images/87sm.jpg)
©Michael A. Peters
Two young rattlesnakes well hidden in a rock crevice. The crevice they are in is actually a hole leading to a subterranean den area that may be a rookery. Redding, CA
Habitat Shots
Unless otherwise noted, these habitat shots are from within Shasta County where this species is known to occur.
![[Western Rattlesnake habitat]](/images/17sm.jpg)
Multimedia
Adult crawling through brush, rattling tail. Redding, CA. Originally shot to mjpeg with consumer digital camera.
![[Sponsor ShastaHerps.org]](/images/SherpBanner2.png)
