How to Identify the Mojave Rattlesnake (Identification Guide)
The Mojave rattlesnake is a desert pit viper closely resembling the western diamondback, best distinguished by its tail banding and greenish-tinged coloration.
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Key identifying features
The Mojave rattlesnake is best identified by its tail banding pattern, in which the white or pale rings are noticeably wider than the black rings near the rattle, the reverse of the pattern seen in the similar western diamondback rattlesnake. It also often shows a subtle olive-green or greenish-gray cast to its base coloration, giving rise to the nickname "Mojave green."
Coloration & pattern
Base color ranges from pale green-gray, olive, tan, or yellowish-brown, marked with a series of dark, diamond-shaped blotches edged in lighter scales running down the back. A pale stripe typically runs diagonally from behind the eye to above the mouth. The greenish tinge, when present, is a helpful but not universal clue since some individuals appear more brown or tan.
Head, eyes & scales
The head is broad, triangular, and distinct from the neck, with heat-sensing pits between eye and nostril, and vertical pupils. Scales are keeled, and enlarged scales are present between the eyes, a subtle technical feature used by experts alongside overall pattern for identification.
Size & body shape
Adults typically reach 3 to 4.5 feet in length, with a moderately heavy body typical of desert rattlesnakes, tapering to a tail bearing a segmented rattle.
Range & habitat where you'll see it
Mojave rattlesnakes inhabit desert scrub, grassland, and arid foothill regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, often in areas with sparse, low vegetation such as creosote flats.
How to tell it apart from look-alikes
The most reliable field distinction from the very similar western diamondback rattlesnake is the tail ring pattern: Mojave rattlesnakes have white bands wider than the black bands near the rattle, while diamondbacks show black and white bands of roughly equal width. The optional greenish coloration can support identification but should not be used alone, since color varies and some diamondbacks can appear slightly gray-green as well.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell a Mojave rattlesnake from a western diamondback?
Check the tail rings near the rattle: Mojave rattlesnakes have white bands distinctly wider than the black bands, while diamondbacks have bands of roughly equal width.
Why is it sometimes called the Mojave green?
Many individuals show a subtle olive-green or greenish-gray tinge to their base coloration, though this is not present in every individual.
What pattern appears on the body?
A series of dark, light-edged diamond-shaped blotches running down the back over a tan, olive, or greenish base.
Is color alone reliable for identifying a Mojave rattlesnake?
No, coloration varies and overlaps with other rattlesnakes, so the tail band width pattern is a more reliable identification feature.