A small, venomous snake found in parts of the western United States, particularly in Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. It belongs to the pit viper family, which means it has heat-sensing pits on its face to help it locate warm-blooded prey, even in the dark. They have a light brown or tan body with darker brown or reddish-brown patches running down their back. This coloration helps them blend into their desert and rocky environments, making it easier to hide from predators and sneak up on their prey.

One of the most distinct features of the midget faded rattlesnake is its rattle, which is found at the end of its tail. When the snake feels threatened, it will shake its rattle to make a buzzing sound that warns potential predators to stay away. This rattling noise is created by segments of the rattle knocking against each other, and it’s a pretty effective way to avoid conflict. Interestingly, baby midget faded rattlesnakes are born with only a small button at the end of their tail, and their rattle gets longer as they shed their skin and grow older.

The venom of the midget faded rattlesnake is highly toxic and can be dangerous to humans, but bites are rare because these snakes are generally shy and prefer to avoid people. Their venom is a mix of hemotoxins and neurotoxins, which can damage tissue and affect the nervous system. However, midget faded rattlesnakes are not aggressive and will only bite if they feel cornered or threatened.

These rattlesnakes are mostly active during the cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening, especially during the hot summer months. In the colder winter months, they enter a state similar to hibernation called brumation, where they slow down their metabolism and hide out in burrows or rocky crevices until the weather warms up again.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Canada

2007

Mexico

2007

United States

2007

Utah