Skip to main content
Today is World Environment Day!
Close

Grand Canyon rattlesnake

Crotalus oreganus abyssus

Photo by KarenL
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

36.3552, -112.661

Field Notes

Description:

This is a medium to large (16" to 54") rattlesnake with dark blotches on a variety of base colors ranging from reddish, pink, yellow/green, light tan, to gray. The blotches usually become bands near the tail. The young usually have more prominent blotches and facial markings than the adults. Some adults have no body markings.

Notes:

We saw several of these during our 5 days of hiking the Grand Canyon but this was the only one I managed to photograph & it is a bit difficult to see because it was dusk & it was well camouflaged in the poor light. We spotted it at one of the campsites but it didn't hang around long before disappearing into a hole in a wall. We did hear a rattle several times during the night & it sounded very close to our tent!

Reference Links:

Crotalus oreganus abyssus

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (24)
KarenL
It certainly is Lisa! I was amazed at how calm it was with so many people taking flash photos. It showed no signs of aggression at all, it just looked for a way to escape as soon as possible.
KarenL
Rattlesnakes are pit vipers—they have heat sensing organs located in pits near the eyes. These pits allow them “see” the heat signature of prey. Even in complete darkness, the snake will be able to accurately strike at prey, because their meal is warmer than the surrounding environment. Added to NWF mission for its super senses.
KarenL
Muchas gracias harsuame!
rutasandinas
Grandiosa imagen ni la vi fantástico mimetismo .....
Frank Weaver
When I saw the thumbnail for this picture, I thought it was just a dirt picture, but when I made it bigger I realize there was a snake in there! Talk about camouflage! Great spotting!
KarenL
Yes he blended in perfectly with the dirt! We were told they treat around half a dozen cases of snake bite a year at the Grand Canyon, without exception to the hands or face - from people (usually young guys) showing off by picking them up so they can pose with them for a photo!
KarenL
Yes, when I checked the thumbnails as I downloaded my photos from Grand Canyon I initially thought it was an 'accidental' photo of the ground & almost deleted it!
KarenL
Thanks guys! Juan, it's in the mission!
Juan DiTrani
this is an amazing picture!. Could be a good fit to Mimetic Animals Mission
KarenL
Thanks Mostly Microbe!
Mostly Microbe
Wow! So hard to see, amazing. Thanks for sharing. Great shot.
KarenL
I'm afraid I can't take any credit for that - word got out that there was a rattlesnake in camp & this poor little guy was soon besieged by about 20 people all taking flash photos of him!
LauraMaria
Woah I clicked on this because I didn't think there was an organism in your pic... haha, what amazing camouflage! Excellent find :)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Mimetic Animals of the World
Mission
Snakes of the World
Mission
Snakes of the United States - Center for Snake Conservation
Mission
Snakes of the Southwest
Mission
Mission WILD

Tags

Photographed
PublishedSeptember 19, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies