It takes a lot of patience to sneak up on this den of Prairie Rattlesnakes in northern Arizona. Unlike most rattlesnake dens I visit, these spook incredibly easily, retreating at the sight of me from well over 100′ away. Even when moving slowly, they seem to recognize the threat and disappear … for the rest of the day. It’s only by arriving before it’s warm enough to emerge and hiding behind boulders that it was possible for me to get these photos, and watch their actions for the morning.

These small variants of the species were once considered a separate subspecies (Hopi Rattlesnake), more than twenty years ago, but may be again, based on discussion of new research from reliable sources. These are all only around 1 to 1.5′ long, and will never get bigger. This is quite different than the much larger, greener (~3′) versions of the same species found in the Juniper-dominated hills, a relatively short drive away.

This topic will almost certainly mean the comments here will be dominated by snake people, similarly emerging from the crevices of the internet to shake fists in various directions. Taxonomy is a bit like music – whichever bands were popular at the time a young herpetologist is most active seem to become the prime lexicon, all future versions to be summarily dismissed as noise of youth.