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Arizona State Reptile: Arizona Ridgenose Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi)

Eleven different species of rattlesnake occurs within the geographical boundaries of Arizona. That's one third of all known species of rattlesnake; more than any other state in the United States. Rattlesnakes are divided into two genera: Crotalus and Sistrurus. Arguably, among Arizona's crotalid rattlesnakes the ridgenose is one of the most unique. Its scientific name, Crotalus willardi, comes from crotalum, the Greek word for rattle, and willardi, for Frank C. Willard, the Tombstone man who first found a specimen in the wild. This was the last rattlesnake to be named by herpetologists in the United States.

The Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake is a small snake. Rarely does an adult ridgenose weigh more than 3 or 4 ounces or exceed a length of 24 inches. Newborn ridgenose are usually 6-8" long and may weigh as little as one-fourth of an once (about as much as a quarter). Its upturned nose scales gives this species its common name. Its most characteristic markings are bold, white stripes on its brown face. It has often been speculated that the Chiricahua Apaches modeled their war paint after this snake's facial markings.

In Arizona the ridgenose rattlesnake inhabits only a few mountain ranges in the south central part of the State. Throughout its range, the ridgenose generally occurs at elevations of 5,000 to 8,000 feet in cool canyons with oaks and pines. Ridgenose rattlesnakes are quite secretive, being active mainly in early morning or late afternoon. On a very humid afternoon, they can sometimes be found quietly seeking the lizards, centipedes, small snakes or small mice that are their main food.

The Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake is perhaps the most beautiful of all our state's rattlesnake species and is listed with "Threatened Native Wildlife in Arizona". It is illegal to kill or possess the Arizona ridgenose rattlesnake without receiving special permits from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Since this is a relatively rare snake in the United States, an illegal trade has developed for collectors that may further threaten the Arizona population.

Photo and information provided by the Arizona Game and Fish Department, Education Branch