CLASSIFICATION OF CROTALUS : RATTLE SNAKE
PHYLUM :- CHORDATA (Notochord, dorsal tubular nerve cord present and gill slits present )
Group :- CRANIATA ( Definite head. Cranium with brain present )
Sub-phylum :- VERTEBRATA ( vertebral column present)
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA ( Jaws and paired appendages present )
Super class :- TETRAPODA ( Paired limbs, lungs, bony skeleton and cornified skin)
Class :- REPTILIA ( Scaly vertebrates with right and left aortic arches. Single condyle, pulmonary respiration. Embryo with amnion and allantois ).
Sub-class :- DIAPSIDA ( Skull with two temporal openings separated by postorbital and squamosal ).
Order :- SQUAMATA ( Lizards and snakes with horny epidermal scales or shields. Quadrate bone movable. Vertebrae procoelous. Anal opening transverse).
Sub-order :- OPHIDIA ( Snakes. Limbs, feet, ear openings sternum and urinary bladder absent. Mandibles jointed anteriorly by ligament. Tongue slender, bifid and protrusible. Left lung reduced).
Family :- VIPERIDAE ( Tails compressed used for swimming ).
GENUS :- Crotalus
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Crotalus or Rattle Snake is found in U.S.A. and Mexico, North America, Asia.
HABIT AND HABITAT
Rattle Snake is adapted for terrestrial life. During winter season it hibernates under the carnivorous, nocturnal and Rattle snakes consume mice, rats, small birds , and other small animals.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF CROTALUS : RATTLE SNAKE
- Commonly called as Rattle snake.
- Body is elegantly elongated, measuring 2 to 3 meters in length. Body divided into head, neck. trunk and tail. Head contains nostrils, eyes, mouth and head scales.
- General surface greyish brown with dark bands and handsome pigmentation pattern.
- Head is triangular in shape, distinct from the neck having small nostrils and ventral mouth. Upper side of head has small scales.
- Eyes are small, without eyelids, and a sensory pit is present between eye and nostril.
- Rattle snakes are believed to require at least their own body weight in water annually to remain hydrated
- There are two erectile fangs in front of jaw, one on each maxillary bone and folded backwards when not in use.
Tongue bifid and protrusible.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Rattle snake is immediately characterized by the presence of a rattle at the end of the tail. Rattle is derived from moulting epidermis consisting of 8 hollow segments. During fast locomotion, tail is vibrated and rattle produces characteristic rattling sound which warns the intruder. It is a deadly poisonous snake and is viviparous.
IDENTIFICATION
Since this snake contains rattle in tail and above features, hence it is Crotalus or Rattle Snake.
REFERENCES
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viperidae
- Book of Practical Zoology VERTEBRATE by S.S.LAL – Rastogi Publications.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattlesnake
- sources of images – https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ucihealth.org%2Fblog%2F2017%2F07%2Fsnake-bites&psig=AOvVaw3AU_5MWc98AorIHtJmFj50&ust=1602690253995000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwj3uLvL9LHsAhWUN7cAHe5oDlEQr4kDegUIARDWAQ
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newscientist.com%2Farticle%2F2106162-rattlesnakes-silently-shook-their-tails-before-evolving-rattles%2F&psig=AOvVaw3AU_5MWc98AorIHtJmFj50&ust=1602690253995000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwj3uLvL9LHsAhWUN7cAHe5oDlEQr4kDegUIARDrAQ
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fkids.sandiegozoo.org%2Fanimals%2Frattlesnake&psig=AOvVaw3AU_5MWc98AorIHtJmFj50&ust=1602690253995000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwj3uLvL9LHsAhWUN7cAHe5oDlEQr4kDegUIARDxAQ
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Wow such amazing facts about rattle snake.
Thanks for sharing.