Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I found two today and one yesterday. Here are the pics... I'd like to find a local who knows the area, although I admit I'm having fun just exploring...

Thanks,
-Joe-

Is this just a Southern Pacific Rattlesnake? I'd really like to find and photograph some Red Diamond and Western Diamondbacks...

-Joe-

Those all look like Southern Pacifics - they can be quite variable.
So can Northerns, here's one I found last April on Los Gatos.
It's cool to see so many different "looks" in one type of snake.

Tim

Third Eye

For reds try Riverside granite outcroppings, lots there....
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www.phrynosoma.org

..Is what that is. Nice pic.

Matthew
I'm waiting, waiting for Spring. PLEASE get here..

I do not believe crotalus viridis helleri is valid
I believe it was changed to crotalus oreganus helleri

Possible, but oreganus used to be just another subspecies. Of course, Taxonimists change their minds quicker than a 20 year old women. Ughh!

Matthew

I've also seen them referred to as just Crotalus helleri. Now that I've seen a bunch in the field and seen a bunch of pics of Red Diamonds I'm not having any trouble identifying them...

Just a little guy, was really hard for me not to take it home...

-Joe-

Cute little guy, didn't try to strike or rattle his tail at all. Too bad they get such a bad wrap...

Cool finds, & great pics! I like that little guy too

Dan Eby

Haha! Dan- you and your bulls and gophers up there- I LOVE those things!

Joe,
I don't think you'll find atrox in your area- you have to head east into the desert- I think that's where their range begins.

Here's a couple reds for you- not sure if they extend into LA county. I took these a couple hours south in San Diego county:

Your first two do look like southern pacifics- not sure what the youngster is- maybe a young southern?

Here's a pic of a southern in San Diego county I took- it was MOST unhappy of my presence:

Here's an atrox I found in West Texas- it wasn't to happy to see me, either:

//Todd

Todd,
I love those reds! Was that you that had the pics of the red eating the rabbit?

Dan

Yeah man- they are BEAUTIFUL in person, and way more mellow than the pacifics and atrox- haven't had one start buzzing on me yet!

You mean this one? If so, then yes:

//Todd

that's INSANE!!!
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Todd Hughes

Yeah Todd, thats the one. Thanks for re-showing those!

Dan

That's what I thought. I've read that the Reds are in Los Angeles County, I'm just not sure where. I'm planning on heading south and east pretty soon anyway, now I just have more of a reason to go! Thanks guys, and great pictures.

-Joe-

The baby helleri are just the neatest looking things.

Once I was walking a spot in Palos Verdes where occasionally snakes were found. I heard a small thumping sound, looked around and saw a beverage cup on its side in the street next to the curb. I kept hearing the sound, all I saw was this cup. I peered in the cup and there was a new baby helleri with just a button, trying its best to rattle like the big boys.

They do pack a wallop though and they can be pugnacious.
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Mark

Those are definitely Southern Pacifics. They're native throughout most of the Crote spots in L.A. Co. I'm in the San Fernando Valley and there are a few spots where we find helleri here. If you're looking for Ruber, you've got to head out to Riverside and points south. Further south are atrox, Speckleds and cerastes. In the eastern parts of L.A. Co. there are Mojave Greens.

reako45

I don't remember the exact Latin name; Crotalus Mitchelli something or other. These guys are beautiful.

reako45

np

Nice pictures and cool finds. Like everyone has said already, those are Southern pacific's. There's no areas in L.A. Co. where Red Diamonds occur, but they can be found in Orange Co. into S.D. Co. they are also found from Western Riverside Co. south into S.D. Co. They are also found in the first parts of the desert in both of those counties as well. Western Diamond backs are found deeper into the desert like central and eastern Riverside Co. There are none in the S.D. Co. deserts but are found just east of there. Mojave Rattlers are found north of the San Gabriel mountains in the high desert. Lancaster has a lot of them.

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