South American Rattlesnake

Range: Ranges over much of Northern Central America, including parts of Mexico, south to Southern South America.  Various species and sub-species of the Neotropical rattlesnakes are found in a wide geographical distribution throughout the tropical Americas.

Habitat: Varies substantially by species and sub-species.  Some like the Urocoan are found in very dry habitats while others are found in dense Amazon jungle habitats.

Natural Diet: Small mammals, lizards and occasional birds. 

Diet at Rain Forest: Pre-killed rodents 

Size: 3-5 feet, heavy bodied.  

Rain Forest Facts: Arguably one of the prettiest of all living rattlesnakes the Neotropical snakes have scales that are very brilliant in color and beaded in texture.   A high ridge vertebrae (back bone) gives these animals a unique appearance not found in other rattlesnakes. 

Highly neurotoxic, the tropical rattlesnakes have a venom that differs greatly from most other rattlesnakes.

These snakes are live bearers.