Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A friend found 2 Crotalus lepidus near Chihuahua, Chihuahua, México. Does somebody knows which subspecies could they be?
Crotalus l. klauberi or C. l. lepidus?

I'll post some pics in the photo gallery in the next few days. Try to search them wiht my user name. I hope somebody could help me to identify them.

Thanks in advance

There are actually 4 subspecies of rock rattlers according to Campbell and Lamar:

C. lepidus lepidus
C. l. klauberi
C. l. maculosus
C. l. morulus

Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere does not give a range map for the lepidus subspecies unfortunately, but all of the subspecies range into northern Mexico. A picture (or a few!) will definitely aid in identification. Plus we all just love lepidus pics

I had to reduce the pixels in the photo, but if you send a mail to me I could send you some nice shots.

All of you could see my pictures in the photo gallery. User names: Chuck_Ch or bj_gex

Cheers
Carlos

the other animal. Probably female but nothing sure

>>the other animal. Probably female but nothing sure
>>

If they're from the vicinity of Cd. Chihuahua, I would assume they are from the higher elevation up around Aldama. Cool snakes. The pinkish individual is very nice. Hope they're still in thier habitat.

Cheers,
Bob Haase

Bob

I am curious as to how you are certain that the second animal is male. I can see making an educated guess by the first pic since you can see its tail, but you can see no tail with the second animal. Are there other exterior characteristics with lepidus that make it easier to discern sexes with these species? Just curious. Thanks for any input. Take care.

Derek Morgan

In many cases, and many ranges klauberi and even lep lep are sexually dimorphic to a degree that sexing can be done in a quick glance.

Here's a pair from Durango. Typical female on the left, and typical male on the right:

You asked a good question. Crotalus lepidus exhibit sexual dimorphism in color pattern, similar to many lizards and birds. Males are typically more boldly marked, "cleaner looking" if you will, with prominant body bands and little or no mottling between them. Male body patterns tend to "stand out". Females are usually more cryptically marked, meaning that their markings are slightly less distinct and tend to have more mottling between the body bands. Females tend to "blend in". This may be an adatation to longer periods of being exposed in the open while basking to thermoregulate while incubating embryos. Being less visible would make sense in that case. In C. l. klauberi this set of characteristics is particularly pronounced. C. lepidus is one species of rattlesnake that is fairly easy to recognize gender between in mature individuals by sight. Certainly many other species require closer examination.

Best,
Bob

I have seen quite a few Chihuahuan klauberi and that pink male is quite striking since most of them are greenish rather than pink. They are such incredibly beautiful snakes.
Jim