Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It is killing me how many pattern variations their are in these southern pacific rattlers. Looking at the different pictures of them, they all look different.
Can someone else conferm what I belive to be a southern pacific rattlesnake? The only reason I am questioning it, is because of the shape of its head. The head appeared to be more flat then the normal pacifics I have cought.
Their are mojave rattlers in the area, but I have never come across one? Their heads seemed more flatlike to me.
While I was detaining this snake, animal control and my customer were standing over me. When I was explaining to my customer that it was a southern pacific rattlesnake. The animal regulation officer didn't correct me. So maybe I am correct with my id.

Confermation needed.
Thanks and have a safe day!
Jason Mc

Looks like a helleri to me...the easiest way (for me at least) to distinguish mojaves is by their tail...they have the coon tail, but the white bands are much broader and the black bands thinner than other species (like atrox).

AP

I never thought of distinguishing through the tail. I'm gonna have to try that tail method. Thanks for the info.
Jason

np

ITs definitively a south pacific.
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Swift, Silent, Deadly

Nice animal. I cant see the head too well, but yes mojaves dont have as broad a head as a helleri. Its possible that you found a hybrid if there are mojaves in the area. The tail definatly says helleri, but hybrids do occur. Where exactly is Encino and is it desert? Mojaves are desert snakes, southerns are forest snakes, so habitat is important. They hybridize where the habitats converge, as we have out here in the antelope valley. There is flat desert just below foothills of the angeles forest, and the two snakes have a small crossover area.