A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

Click on a picture for a larger view

**Western Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus) in California**

Venomous and Potentially Dangerous!
This dangerously venomous snake occurs throughout California, excluding the southern deserts. It lives in a wide variety of habitats - mountains, forests, chaparral, sagebrush, grasslands, woodlands - and and often occurs in close proximity to humans. It can be active day or night. Check the range map below to determine which subspecies occurs in your area. Look here for information about identifying the three subspecies found in California.

Northern Pacific Rattlesnake - Crotalus oreganus oreganus

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake - Crotalus oreganus helleri
		© Brad Alexander
Great Basin Rattlesnake - Crotalus oreganus lutosus

Range Blue: Crotalus oreganus helleri (=Crotalus helleri) - Southern Pacific Rattlesnake Orange: Crotalus oreganus lutosus (=Crotalus lutosus) - Great Basin Rattlesnake Red: Crotalus oreganus oreganus (=Crotalus oreganus) - Northern Pacific Rattlesnake