Need Help in ID'ing This Rattler Please

[starmom]

This was at our ranch in Spray, Oregon (Wheeler County) and we'd love to be able to ID this snake. My son gets to write me a report on safety protocols for handling HOT's; he'll get to that as soon I finish giving him a can of whoop @ss...

[qiksilver]

Crotalus oreganus?

[mischevious21]

I dont know- but I hink that rattlers, along with most hots are beautiful snakes!! If I was to ever get one, I think I would like a Gaboon- but I will never get one, so oh well. lol. Tell your son good luck with the report!

[wilomn]

C. v. oreganus, good ol Northern Pacific version of the Western Rattlesnake.

[starmom]

Are you sure Wes? We seem to have C. viridis and C.v. oreganus out there. Perhaps he ought to report on both species in addition to the proper handling of HOTs.

Kids- sheesh

[Freakie_frog]

That green color makes me think Mojave rattler..

http://k53.pbase.com/v3/04/583104/2/...sMay292004.jpg

[shadi11]

maybe have him right a report with identifing characteristics of every species native to your area. That way he is aware of the potential of those little cute snakes out there. I thought the yellow belly racer our daughter wanted to bring home was bad.

[wilomn]

That green color makes me think Mojave rattler..

http://k53.pbase.com/v3/04/583104/2/...sMay292004.jpg

The Mojaves are smaller and don't range that far up.

I've never heard of any viridis up that far but he may have found the first.

I suppose a scientific write up and submission to the proper authorities to verify would be in order.

MUAHAhahahHAHAHAHAHAHAhahahahahahaha

I see southerns fairly often down here and northerns not to often when I manage to escape this pit. My guess is it's a northern.

[starmom]

I agree about the mojave thought- though thanks Ed!

As for my boy-child: He's my 16 year old who is working his butt off to get into Univ of Montana to major in wildlife biology and minor in zoology. His reason for such a display of brain-death? "It just had the most peaceful vibe Mom; and it was such a beauty!!" Me thinks I allowed Steve Irwin into his life at a very impressionable age!!

As for the paper: He needs to cite sources and no, Wiki does not count. He also gets to call Fish and Wildlife and talk to them and try to figure out the species. He doesn't get to go out to the ranch again until the paper is finished... muah hahahah Taking it up to the Univ of Oregon branch campus for submission is not a bad idea. He's already taken a class from them....the smarty-pants

Thanks everyone!

[Mochelem]

Wow thats a cool snake though, Ive seen a ton of rattle snakes but never one without diamonds on its back, that one has perfect circles all the way down..