Crotalus horridus atricaudatus

Common names: canebrake rattlesnake.

Crotalus horridus atricaudatus is a venomous pitviper subspecies that is currently considered invalid. Instead, this name is listed as a junior synonym for C. horridus.^[1] It is found in the eastern half of the United States, as far west as the states of Nebraska and Texas.

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Description

Both subspecies of C. horridus share physical characteristics of length and shape but differ slightly in coloration. C. h. atricaudatus is generally distinguished by a brown stripe that runs down the middle of the its back. It is typically overall a gold-brown in color, fading to lighter on the underside, with black crossbanding. Its tail end darkens to become all black, leading to the colloquial name of "velvet tail" rattlesnake.

Like other rattlesnakes, the canebrake has a rattle composed of keratin. Even when first born, they have a tiny nub of a rattle called a button. Each time the snake sheds its skin, it adds a new segment to the rattle. A snake can shed its skin several times per year, depending on its overall health and growth rate, and the rattle can break off and have to start anew, so the length of a rattlesnake's rattle is not an accurate measure of the animal's age.

Venom

Canebrake venom is primarily hemotoxic in action, causing swelling, tissue damage, and necrosis, but scientists have isolated localities of canebrakes which have a significant neurotoxic component to their venom, which attacks the circulatory and nervous system.^[2] As other vipers, they are capable of delivering what is called a "dry bite", where no venom is injected at all, but any bite from a venomous snake should be considered serious and immediate medical attention sought as the effects of the venom may not be immediately felt. In 1993, herpetologist Mark O'Shea was bitten by a canebrake rattlesnake and nearly died.^[3] Savage Laboratories in Melville, New York manufactures the antivenin CroFab, which, while not species specific for C. horridus, can be used to treat envenomations from them.  

Conservation status

The canebrake rattlesnake is listed as a threatened species in the state of Texas. It is listed as endangered in Virginia.

Taxonomy

There is much debate among taxonomists as to the validity of the subspecies.^[4] ITIS, however, currently regards this subspecies as invalid and lists it as a junior synonym for C. horridus.^[1]

See also

• List of crotaline species and subspecies
• Crotalus by common name
• Crotalus by taxonomic synonyms
• Crotalinae by common name
• Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References