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Crotalus
lepidus Rock Rattlesnake |
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| Description
Author: Richard Phillips |
Description: The rock rattlesnake, Crotalus lepidus, is a slender rattlesnake most easily recognized by its small size, dark cross-bands and a proportionally large rattle (Degenhardt et al 1996: 345). Males are usually 38 to 51 centimeters, 15 to 20 inches, (maximum documented – 383.8 cm (33 inches)) in length, with females generally smaller (Price 1998: 63). Background color for the species is highly variable and contingent on habitat substrate color, resulting in morphs from a chalky white to almost black, with various shades of gray, blue, purple, pink or red (Campbell and Lamar, 1989). In addition to sexual dimorphism, sexual dichromatism has been documented in areas outside of Texas (Jacob and Altenbach, 1977; Shine, 1993). While females tend to be gray dorsally (Photo 1), males generally have a green hue on the dorsal area (Photo 2). Two subspecies of rock rattlesnake, the mottled rock rattlesnake, C. l. lepidus, and the banded rock rattlesnake, C. l. klauberi, are found in Texas (Price 1998: 62).  Photo 1
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