General Distribution
The speckled rattlesnake is widely distributed throughout the Colorado and Mojave deserts
and north just into the Great Basin. It is also found in the mountains and coastal-facing
canyons of San Diego, Riverside and Orange cos. It occurs from 300 to 2200 m (1000 to
7300 ft) in elevation. It prefers rocky areas and slopes in a wide variety of desert and
chaparral habitats, and occasionally in pine-juniper, valley-foothill woodland and conifer
habitats. This snake is rarely encountered in large numbers and is probably uncommon in
most habitats. It is active from mid-spring to mid-fall. Higher-elevation populations become
active later in the Year (Klauber 1936, 1972, Stebbins 1954). Habitat Requirements
Often found in association with rocky areas, canyons, steep hillsides and other
areas offering rocky cover as well as dense vegetation. Rock formations, vegetation, and
mammal burrows are used for cover (Klauber 1936, 1972, Stebbins 1954). Reproduction
This snake copulates in mid-spring, shortly after becoming active. The
young are born in mid-summer. Litters average 4 young and range from 3-5 (Klauber 1936,
1972, Stebbins 1954). Daily/Seasonal Activity
This snake is diurnal early in the season when temperatures are mild,
and becomes progressively more nocturnal as daytime temperatures increase. It becomes
active in mid-spring (later at higher elevations) and remains active until mid-fall (Klauber 1936,
1972, Stebbins 1954).
This species is not known to migrate in California, but
rattlesnakes in cold climates, including some of the high-elevation populations of this species,
are known to move considerable distances to winter hibernacula (Klauber 1972). Diet and Foraging
This snake feeds on rats Dipodomys, mice (Peromyscus, Perognathus, etc.),
ground squirrels and other small mammals, lizards (Uta stansburiana, Cnemidophorus tigris
and Eumeces skiltonianus) and birds. It waits for prey to come within striking distance and
also searches actively in rocky areas (Klauber 1936, 1972, Stebbins 1954). Territoriality/Home Range
No data is available. Predator-Prey Relations
There is one report of a gray fox eating a speckled rattlesnake. It is probably taken
by other mammalian predators, roadrunners, other avian predators, and kingsnakes. Literature Cited
Klauber, L. M. 1936. Crotalus mitchelli, the speckled rattlesnake. Trans. San Diego Soc.
Nat. Hist. 8:149-184.
Klauber, L. M. 1972. Rattlesnakes: their habits, life histories, and influence on mankind.
2nd ed. Univ. California Press, Berkeley. 1533pp.
Stebbins, R. C. 1954. Amphibians and reptiles of western North America. McGraw-Hill,
New York. 536pp.
Information gathered from California DFG - California Interagency Wildlife Task Group
