Western Rattlesnake

Crotalus viridis

Western Rattlesnake. Photo:David Green

Ranging from southern British Columbia to southern Saskatchewan, the western rattler can be divided into two distinctive races: the prairie rattler, the lighter of the pair, is found in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and the northern Pacific rattler, found in arid valleys in British Columbia, is somewhat darker. Both races are currently victims of extermination attempts by people that consider these reclusive snakes threatening. That the snakes often den in large numbers only makes it easier for these people to slaughter numbers at a time. Regardless of the assault, the species appears to be maintaining its population density. Some ranchers believe that these snakes pose a threat to their range stock, and while this may be true, the rattlers also benefit livestock by curbing rodent numbers. Anyone visiting areas where these snakes are found should always take precautions. Even if they tend to shy away from people, disturbing them is very bad idea: their bite is extremely hemotoxic (meaning it destroys blood cells).

Distribution of Western Rattlesnake in Canada