Reptile & Amphibian Forums

here's the first, a nice little Arizon Black-tailed I came within a foot of stepping on, wearing sandals....he didn't budge...

A nice little C. viridis that was saved from a S. Dakota road...

np

I'd be curious as to where in western S.Dakota you found that Prairie. From the photo it appears to be what I affectionately call a "curly Q" Approx. 60% of the viridis I see here have this. They also have a limited ability/willingness to rattle. However, they also seem to be far more willing to strike than those that have an effective rattle. Two completely different dispositions. I firmly believe that they know they aren't able to effectively warn other animals/predators due to the "curly Q" rattle that they have a disposition that would shame any C. atrox from Star or Laredo county Texas!
Nice photos!
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It's what you learn AFTER you know it all that counts!

Terry Phillip
Curator of Reptiles
Black Hills Reptile Gardens
Rapid City, SD.

www.reptilegardens.com

Hey Terry, do you have the olive green phase C. viridus in South Dakota? About 1/5 in Alberta are greenies.

What do you think causes the tail deformity (I'm assuming it is a deformity from your discription and the photo).

Also, where is Rapid City? Far from central ND? I'm passing through on my way back from Wisconsin. I"ve already added a swing into Illinois and I"ve heard so much awesome things about your zoo. If I can convince the wife to take another detour I'd be a happy man

I can't remember exactly where but it was more or less in the SW quadrant of the state...before you hit the Badlands it you're travelling West. He/she was more than willing to both rattle and strike!!! haha...

N/P

Keep in mind that CroFab does not neutralize Blacktail venom very well...if you ever have the misfortune of standing on one.

Al
www.neavb.org
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The more people I meet...the better I like my venomous snakes.

Good thing they're not too aggressive then, huh? This guy was more docile than any other rattlesnake I've ever seen. Although a Northern Pacific from the Siskyiou's in Southern Oregon was a close second...