The Mojave Rattlesnake, or "mojave green" as people like to say, is often confused for the similar-looking Western Diamondback, and visa versa. The Mojave is very commonly seen in flat, sandy desertscrub areas, and less likely seen in mountainous or rocky regions. It's a large snake, reaching about 4' in length as an adult. It can be distinquished from the western diamondback by the striping on the tail. Stripes are generally 2:1 white to black, while the diamondback are 50:50 white to black. The Mojave also has a generally more 'clean' appearance, with more distinct diamonds and less black speckling throughout the body. This snake has a reputation of being an overly dangerous snake, as it is quick to become defensive and has a powerful neurotoxin in many parts of its range. These snakes should always be avoided if seen.
Identification
The Mojave Rattlesnake is very often misidentified, for various reasons. They are commonly belived to be green, but are often other colors. Other rattlesnake species, too, are typically green. Another common method is to look at black and white bands on the tail. While there are often white bands that are wider than black bands. However, this banding is highly variable, and and can be misleading if used as a single-point characteristic for identification.
How to Identify a Mojave Rattlesnake:
Photographs of Mojave Rattlesnakes in Arizona:
- Dangerously Venomous
- Commonly encountered
- Avoid or relocate if found at a home
- Snake fencing very effective
