Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnakes Mating! (Crotalus catalinensis)

[tacticalveterinarian]

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!

[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?

[rlditmars]

Cool opportunity. Thanks for sharing.

[Najakeeper]

*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?

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.

[Albert Clark]

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

[Sirensong26]

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.

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

[tacticalveterinarian]

NajaKeeper is 100% correct!

[Reinz]

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

Thanks for the video.