Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnakes Mating! (Crotalus catalinensis)

I was lucky enough to film this adult pair of Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnakes (Crotalus catalinensis) mating on display when i visited the LA Zoo in California, USA. This species is critically endangered and unique because it's tail completely lacks a rattle!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-Yal0Eq8DE

*raises hand*

The video is really cool but...why are they categorized as a rattler if they don't have a rattle? Why not then name them as some other type of viper?

Cool opportunity. Thanks for sharing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sirensong26

*raises hand*

The video is really cool but...why are they categorized as a rattler if they don't have a rattle? Why not then name them as some other type of viper?

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Because physical appereance doesn't have much to do with modern taxonomy. This species is a rattlesnake genetically speaking and just loosing the rattle doesn't kick it out of genus Crotalus. It is very closely related to Crotalus ruber.

Thank you for that viewing and the tutorial on a Crotalus species. Impressive!

Very interesting, let's hope for a very large litter!

Thanks for the video.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Najakeeper

Because physical appereance doesn't have much to do with modern taxonomy. This species is a rattlesnake genetically speaking and just loosing the rattle doesn't kick it out of genus Crotalus. It is very closely related to Crotalus ruber.

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Thanks Naja!! I really didn't understand why...genetics can be extremely interesting.

NajaKeeper is 100% correct!