Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This evening I was hiking with my mother (in Southern California - Orange County) and came upon a rattlesnake coiled at the edge of the path. When I say "came upon", I mean "nearly stepped on."

It was a rich, orangey-red color, I'd estimate about 4 feet long, and had a strikingly flat head. Absolutely beautiful! The light was dim, so I can't be sure of the markings, but it didn't seem to have a very bold or prominent pattern. My mother, who was closer than I to it, said that it didn't have the black and white rings at the base of the rattle that we've seen on Western Diamondbacks.

What type of rattlesnake do you think it was?

Thanks

In Orange County, I'm going to guess maybe a Panamint Speckled Rattlesnake Crotalus mitchelli stephensi or possible a Red Diamond Rattlesnake C.ruber ruber, although that may be just a little north for a Red Diamond.

I agree with Old Herper. The red diamond, however is a close relative of the western diamondback & shares with it the black & white banded tail. If it was a stephensi, it was an especially large one, as it is not often they exceed four feet in length.

~~Greg~~

We've looked at some photos and the Panamint Speckled Rattlesnake seems to be a close match.

Thanks!