General Description: Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) are medium-sized, heavy-bodied snakes with broad, triangular-shaped heads and rattles on the tail. The dorsal pattern is variable, but the ground color usually is tan, aging to dark. Dorsal blotches are brown with dark, irregular borders, and the blotches are wider than the spaces between them. Two irregular rows of small, dark blotches on the sides. Dark and light tail rings well defined, each of uniform width; dark rings grade to black towards the rattle.

Taxonomy: Pit Vipers Family (Viperidae). Formerly a subspecies of the Western Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus).

Where to Find: Don't look for Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them in central and northern California and western Oregon.

Special Remarks: Venomous.