Sistrurus

Taxobox
name = "Sistrurus"

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image_caption = Pigmy rattlesnake, "S. miliarius".
image_size = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
subphylum = Vertebrata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Serpentes
familia = Viperidae
subfamilia = Crotalinae
genus = "Sistrurus"
genus_authority = Garman, 1884
synonyms = * "Crotalophorus" - Gray, 1825
* "Caudisona" - Fitzinger, 1826
* "Sistrurus" - Garman, 1884McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).]

:"Common names: ground rattlesnakes, pigmy rattlesnakes, massasaugas.Wright AH, Wright AA. 1957. Handbook of Snakes. Comstock Publishing Associates. (7th printing, 1985). 1105 pp. ISBN 0-8014-0463-0.] ""Sistrurus" is a genus of venomous pitvipers found in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Three species are currently recognized.ITIS|ID=174301|taxon=Sistrurus|year=2006|date=4 November]

Description

"Sistrurus" species differ from the larger rattlesnakes of the genus "Crotalus" in a number of ways. They are smaller in size, but also their scalation is different: "Sistrurus" species have nine large head plates (same as "Agkistrodon"), whereas with "Crotalus" (and almost all other viperids) the head is mostly covered with a large number of smaller scales. "Sistrurus" species have a relatively small rattle that produces more of a high-pitched, buzzing sound than a rattle, like "Crotalus".

Geographic range

Found in southeastern Canada, the eastern and northwestern United States, as well as isolated populations in northern and central Mexico.

Venom

Although bites from "Sistrurus" species are regarded as less dangerous to humans, primarily due to the lower venom yield, every venomous snake bite should be considered serious and prompt medical treatment should always be sought.

pecies

"*) Not including the nominate subspecies."
^T) Type species.

ee also

* List of crotaline species and subspecies
*
*
* Snakebite

References

External links

*
* [http://www.herpbreeder.com/worldspecies/Snakes/vipers/sistrurus.htm "Sistrurus"] at [http://www.herpbreeder.com/ Herpbreeder.com] . Accessed 5 December 2007.