Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got an email from a friend about sightings of two Mojave rattlers found at 6400' in the Davis Mountains Resort. This was from a non-herper, so I'm VERY skeptical. However, before I reply, has anyone here heard credible reports of Mojaves in similar terrain? All that I have seen have been in or near flats.

The only report of a Mojave in mountainous terrain that I've had was from a friend wanting me to remove a snake from her garden. She said it must be a Mojave because it was green. Of course, it turned out to be a stunning blacktail (and unfortunately dead -caught in chicken wire).

I've seen several atrox in the flats around Balmorhea as well as mexican hogs and one viridis. The places where I find hogs, viridis and atrox are usually the same places I see mojaves, so it seems possible that they are there. Those flats butt up against the Davis', so I guess its possible. I shouldn't even respond, I'm sure the Hibbits and Forks of the world have much more experience than I, but there's my two pennies.

Oh yeah, in the alterna rush trailer: the in situ shot of the atrox on the road where the camera zooms in as the light hits it, was filmed in the Davis mountains right about where the flats end and the mountains begin. I know atrox aren't scutulatus...
dAN

Seen them as high or higher in both Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, as well as close to that elevation in Arizona...

There is a nifty population of scuts (not hybrids!) up near Wild Rose Pass as well...

Certaily possible...

Happy herpin'...

MP

>>Seen them as high or higher in both Coahuila and Nuevo Leon, as well as close to that elevation in Arizona...

I should have been clearer in my post. The elevation alone would not surprise me. I'm aware that they are seen at elevations up to 8000' in Mexico's highlands. I know they are also seen along lower slopes of mountains (not too far flat lands). My skepticism about this report is that at 6400' in the Davis Mountain Resort, they would have been far removed from the nearest flatland habitat that they prefer. Of course, this assumption is based on my limited familiarity with the DMR and my recollection that it is a very rugged and heavily vegetated area. Perhaps there are some highland flats up there that would harbor scutes.

Eby, you should know by now that if you ask or if the general populace out here mentions a crotalid, they're almost always going to tell you that it is Mojave. I'm not sure if they even know there are atrox out here unless it's one of those diamond backed Mojaves.

DB

wouldn't surprise me at all - I've seen them out by the church camp on 166 which is over 6000 feet.

Troy

I was hoping you'd chime in. I figured if anyone had seen them out that way it would be you. Are there some high flats out there, or did the Mojave in those mountains just fail to read the field guides?