General Description: Midget Faded Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus concolor) are small (usually to about 20 inches), slim snakes with broad, triangular heads and rattles on the tail. A broad, dark facial stripe extends across the eye to the corner of the jaw. The dorsal pattern is variable, ground color usually tan. Dark blotches on the back have a light center and narrow, white margin. Dark spots on the sides are solid. Only a short section of black and white tail rings.

These snakes are venomous. Do not attempt to handle rattlesnakes; rather, enjoy your good luck of finding one from a distance (minimum 4 feet away) and leave them alone.

Taxonomy: Pit Vipers Family (Viperidae). Midget Faded Rattlesnakes are considered a subspecies of Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus) [now Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus)], but some consider them to be a distinct species (Crotalus concolor).

Technical Description:

Diet: Mice, birds, and lizards.

Habitat: Rocky outcrops.

Range: This subspecies occurs in the slickrock country of eastern Utah and western Colorado.

Breeding:

Similar Species:

Comments:

Special Remarks: Venomous.