The Arizona Black Rattlesnake is also known as the Crotalus Oreganus Cerberus.
Geographic Range
This rattlesnake is almost often found in the this snake is found across the central mountains of the state from below the Colorado River in northwestern Arizona, along and below the Mogollon Rim, through the White Mountains, and down into the Pinaleno, Galiuro, Santa Catalina, and Rincons. It is found at elevations ranging from about 4,000 feet to over 9,000 feet.
Cool Fact
When the Arizona Black Rattlesnake is hunting for its prey, it often changes color, kind of like a chameleon, to blend in to its surroundings. It is an ability that is shared not only with chameleons but also with other snakes such as some species in the genusTropidophis group of snakes.
Here is a picture of the rattlesnake changing from black to green with zig-zagedy stripes.
The reason why snake is coiled up is that it is either frightened or is getting ready to attack its prey. This certain type of rattlesnake changes color for an unknown reason.
Scientists today are still trying to find out why some other snakes, such as this Crotalus Oreganus Cerberus (Arizona Black Rattlesnake).
Diet
The Crotalus Oreganus preys upon suitably sized amphibians (Lizards), small reptiles or small snakes, birds and their eggs, and small mammals(Mice, squirrels). It uses venom injected through long, hollow, retractable fangs to kill and begin digesting its prey.
Description
The Arizona Black Rattlesnake grows from medium length (up to 1,062mm) or large length (42") in total length excluding the rattle on its tail. This rattlesnake's natural color is prominent brown blotches and facial markings on a light grey background. Coloration gradually darkens as the animal ages. Some adults appear a solid black with thin white, yellow, or orange crossbars on the back. The rostral scale (the scale near the front end of the body, especially in the region of the nose and mouth), comes in contact with more than 2 internal scales. The pupils are vertically elliptical and the dorsal scales are keeled. The base of the tongue is a very dark shade of purple. The neck is slender and the head is broad and triangular. On the end of the tail is a rattle composed of a series of loosely interlocking keratinous (spiky) sections. A new section is added each time the snake sheds its' skin.
Habitat
The Arizona Black Rattlesnake (ABR) inhabits a variety of biotic communities in Arizona including Semidesert Grassland, Interior Chaparral, Great Basin Conifer Woodland, Madrean Evergreen Woodland, and Petran Montane Conifer. It is often found in or near rocky drainages with permanent or emi-permanent water but is also encountered on open, rocky slopes. This rattlesnake can also be found in the outskrits of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Calirfornia.
5 Abiotic Parts(Assignment #2)
The 5 biotic parts of the Arizona Black Rattlesnake are:
leaves
sand
rocks
air
water
10 Biotic Parts
lizards
small snakes
small mammals (mice, rats...)
small birds and eggs
frogs
baby road runners
sometimes bite humans for self defense
baby bunnies
sometimes insects
sometimes small tortoises
The Arizona Black Rattlesnake sometimes eat dead mice if they haven't eaten in several weeks.
The Arizona Black Rattlesnake is also known as the Crotalus Oreganus Cerberus.
Geographic Range
This rattlesnake is almost often found in the this snake is found across the central mountains of the state from below the Colorado River in northwestern Arizona, along and below the Mogollon Rim, through the White Mountains, and down into the Pinaleno, Galiuro, Santa Catalina, and Rincons. It is found at elevations ranging from about 4,000 feet to over 9,000 feet.
Cool Fact
When the Arizona Black Rattlesnake is hunting for its prey, it often changes color, kind of like a chameleon, to blend in to its surroundings. It is an ability that is shared not only with chameleons but also with other snakes such as some species in the genus Tropidophis group of snakes.
Here is a picture of the rattlesnake changing from black to green with zig-zagedy stripes.
The reason why snake is coiled up is that it is either frightened or is getting ready to attack its prey. This certain type of rattlesnake changes color for an unknown reason.
Scientists today are still trying to find out why some other snakes, such as this Crotalus Oreganus Cerberus (Arizona Black Rattlesnake).
Diet
The Crotalus Oreganus preys upon suitably sized amphibians (Lizards), small reptiles or small snakes, birds and their eggs, and small mammals(Mice, squirrels). It uses venom injected through long, hollow, retractable fangs to kill and begin digesting its prey.
Description
The Arizona Black Rattlesnake grows from medium length (up to 1,062mm) or large length (42") in total length excluding the rattle on its tail. This rattlesnake's natural color is prominent brown blotches and facial markings on a light grey background. Coloration gradually darkens as the animal ages. Some adults appear a solid black with thin white, yellow, or orange crossbars on the back. The rostral scale (the scale near the front end of the body, especially in the region of the nose and mouth), comes in contact with more than 2 internal scales. The pupils are vertically elliptical and the dorsal scales are keeled. The base of the tongue is a very dark shade of purple. The neck is slender and the head is broad and triangular. On the end of the tail is a rattle composed of a series of loosely interlocking keratinous (spiky) sections. A new section is added each time the snake sheds its' skin.
Habitat
The Arizona Black Rattlesnake (ABR) inhabits a variety of biotic communities in Arizona including Semidesert Grassland, Interior Chaparral, Great Basin Conifer Woodland, Madrean Evergreen Woodland, and Petran Montane Conifer. It is often found in or near rocky drainages with permanent or emi-permanent water but is also encountered on open, rocky slopes. This rattlesnake can also be found in the outskrits of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona and Calirfornia.
5 Abiotic Parts (Assignment #2)
The 5 biotic parts of the Arizona Black Rattlesnake are:
10 Biotic Parts
The Arizona Black Rattlesnake sometimes eat dead mice if they haven't eaten in several weeks.