Reptiles · Squamata · Viperidae
Cascabel Rattlesnake
Crotalus durissus
The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary
The tropical rattlesnake, or cascabel, is a venomous species of rattlesnake distributed across Latin America: from Mexico to South America. It is the most widely distributed snake in its genus and it is highly venomous, its bite being a serious problem for medical treatment. Twelve subspecies are currently recognised, including the typical form.
Weight
1 kg – 4 kg
Size
1 m – 1.8 m
Lifespan
20 years
Diet
Carnivore
Feeds mainly on other animals.
Activity
Irregular activity
Active at irregular times, by day or night depending on circumstances.
Social structure
Solitary
Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.
Sighting difficulty
Easy
Fun facts
- It is the only rattlesnake in South America: the genus is essentially North American and this species crossed the Isthmus of Panama after it formed, colonising the savannahs of the south as far as Argentina.
- Its venom is markedly neurotoxic, unlike that of the northern rattlesnakes, and contains crotoxin, a compound under investigation both as a painkiller and as an antitumour agent.
- It occupies open, dry ground, and its recent spread in Brazil has followed deforestation: the conversion of rainforest into pasture has opened new territory for it.
Life cycle & biology
- Skeleton type
- Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
- Habitat & environment
- Savannah, cerrado, dry scrub and grassland of Mexico, Central America and South America
- Sexual maturity
- 3 years
- Gestation / incubation
- 3.9 months
- Litter / clutch size
- 6
Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crotalus_durissus
Where to find it
See its range on the interactive mapWhere to watch it
Parques y spots de buceo donde se ha documentado esta especie — se muestran 10 de 35 documentados.
Related species
Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Cascabel Rattlesnake — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.
Jararaca
Bothrops jararaca
Eyelash Viper
Bothriechis schlegelii
South American Bushmaster
Lachesis muta
Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
Crotalus atrox
Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
Mohave Rattlesnake
Crotalus scutulatus
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