Tiger Rattlesnake

Tiger rattlesnakes have the smallest head and one of the most toxic venoms of any rattlesnake.

It hunts for small rodents and lizards among the rocks and scrub brush. Using its small head to pull prey from tight spaces, the tiger rattlesnake is perfectly designed for its habitat. This small yet highly venomous rattlesnake lives in the rocky hills of central Arizona and northern Mexico.

Amazing Facts About Tiger Rattlesnakes

• It has an unusually small head that allows them to get into tight spaces after prey.
• Their venom is a dangerous mix of neurotoxins (similar to the Mojave toxin), and mycotoxins. Together, they cause paralysis and possibly death.
• Tiger rattlesnake females may only breed every three years.

Where to Find Them

These snakes live in dry oak forests, mesquite grasslands, thorn scrub, and arroyos. Tiger rattlesnakes are versatile and have been found in rocky canyons, hunting near saguaro cacti, and two feet off the ground in a bush. Wherever they live, they move to higher ground when the weather changes and those areas are wet. This snake specializes in taking small mammals and lizards; juveniles tend towards lizards, and adults typically prefer small mammals and occasionally prey on larger things like kangaroo rats.

Tiger rattlesnakes have a limited range extending from central Arizona into northern Mexico, and each individual may only inhabit a 1.4 square mile territory in its lifetime. They are night-time hunters and ambush much of their prey. However, they also actively hunt small mice and lizards in and under rock crevices. This species seems especially well-designed for recovering prey that crawls back into crevices because their heads are much smaller than other rattlesnakes.

When the weather turns cold in December and January, these snakes find a den in which to brumate. Conversely, during July and August, they also take a break because of the extreme heat. This species has few natural predators, but hawks, roadrunners, and coyotes occasionally have them for dinner.

Scientific Name

The scientific name for Tiger rattlesnake is Crotalus tigris. Crotalus originates in Greek with κρόταλον (krotalon) and translates as either rattle or castanet. Their scientific name, Crotalus tigris, suits this species perfectly — it means tiger rattle. These snakes have cross bands that extend all the way down the length of their bodies, giving the appearance of tiger stripes.

Tiger rattlesnakes are pitvipers from the Crotalinae subfamily of Viperidae. All pitvipers have heat-sensing organs located on either side of their face, between their nostrils and eyes. These organs, or loreal pits, help pitvipers “see” their prey in the dark. They can sense the differences in temperatures, which helps them zero in on their meal.

Population and Conservation Status

The IUCN assessed the tiger rattlesnake population and determined that it is stable or decreasing so slowly that it’s not in danger. They live in relatively remote areas and avoid human activity.

Given that their natural predators are few and restricted to birds of prey and predatory mammals, the main threat to this species is human expansion into their habitat. Destruction of some of the grasslands for homes and roads is a problem but doesn’t seem to affect their population yet.

Appearance and Description: How to Identify Them

Tiger rattlesnakes are small, and most adults only reach about two feet long. They are sexually dimorphic, and the males often grow larger than the females. Their base color can be tan, cream, orange, and even pale lilac, with dark bands across their back that look like tiger stripes. Like other rattlesnakes, they have elliptical pupils and a darker stripe below the eyes that extends diagonally down toward the back of their mouth.

This small rattlesnake species has a proportionately large rattle and a small head. Their small head is spade-shaped, and they have hollow fangs attached to venom glands. Rattlesnake fangs act like hypodermic needles, injecting large amounts of venom in one bite. However, this snake has a lower venom yield than other rattlesnakes, likely because of its’ smaller head.

People often confuse these snakes for speckled rattlesnakes, yet the easiest way to tell them apart is by the large rattle and small head. Additionally, speckled rattlesnakes have a blotchier pattern instead of the distinct crossbands of the tiger rattlesnake.

Scientists believe that their heads may have evolved down in size because of the type of habitat they frequent. Their native range includes tiny nooks and crannies where the small prey they favor can easily escape. Tiger rattlesnakes’ smaller head makes getting into those small spaces much more easily than rattlesnakes with a traditionally large head.

Pictures and Videos

Venom: How Dangerous Are They?

Of all the rattlesnake venoms, this species may be the worst for people. It’s a nasty mix of neuro- and mycotoxins that cause paralysis and tissue damage. Some sources say that tiger rattlesnake venom is the most toxic, and others say it’s the Mojave rattlesnake that has that dubious honor. However, whichever snake takes the trophy doesn’t matter. In the end, they’re both highly venomous and if you are bitten, you must seek medical help.

The question about which one is more dangerous possibly comes down to their venom yield. The tiger rattlesnake has a much lower venom yield than most rattlesnakes and can’t inject as much. Additionally, bites from this species are exceedingly rare, so there’s a lot we don’t know.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Tiger rattlesnakes are non-monogamous, which means that they often have more than one partner within a single breeding season. Not much else is understood about their mating habits. Mating can last anywhere from minutes to days and can occur multiple times over a few days. Females of the species reproduce biennially, while males have a seasonal reproductive cycle, where sperm is stored during winter. Breeding occurs between May and August during the monsoon season. Like most rattlesnakes, tiger rattlesnakes produce embryos inside eggs. On average, they produce five young per clutch.

Few reptiles exhibit parental care for their young. However, there are notable exceptions. Mother American alligators may watch over their young for periods of up to four years. Without evidence to the contrary, scientists take a conservative approach and assume that parental care is absent in most reptiles.

Sometimes scientists may make premature judgments based on incomplete information. For years it was assumed that rattlesnakes do not care for their young after birth. Yet, the University of California, Berkeley, has found that female rattlesnakes stay with their young until they complete their first shed. Similar observations have been made by herpetologists with other species of rattlesnakes. In the future, we may find that most rattlesnake species exhibit parental care.

Behavior and Humans

Due to their reclusive nature, human encounters with these snakes aren’t common. Some sources say that these are aggressive rattlesnakes. However, many naturalists and snake hunters find the opposite. It’s more likely that it depends on how you approach the animal (or if you approach it). Surprise the snake, and it’ll panic and strike. Give it space, and it won’t – if even as it sits there rattling at you.

As dangerous as their venom is, fortunately, they’re usually reluctant to strike; and, like most rattlesnakes are apt to warn you first.

Similar Animals

• Ornate Rattlesnake
• Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
• Red Diamond Rattlesnake
• Arizona Black Rattlesnake