Crotalus simus
Crotalus simus tzabcan
Crotalus simus is a species of rattlesnakes (Crotalus ), whose distribution extends from Mexico to Central America. Until 2004 this species as nominate the Neotropical rattlesnake (C. durissus ) was performed.
Description
Crotalus simus is a very large rattlesnake, which can reach an average body length of 1.30 meters, while the males are larger than females. Particularly large specimens can reach 1.40 to 1.60 meters, the maximum length is 1.80 m.
Distribution and habitat
The range of the snake extends from Mexico in the southwestern Michoacán on the Pacific coast and Veracruz and the Yucatan Peninsula on the Atlantic coast to the south over Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua to Costa Rica. You lack in Panama, but is on the Atlantic coast of Colombia ago.
The habitat of the rain rattlesnake is characterized by dry, semi-arid woodlands and grasslands and humid rainforest areas.
Poison
The poison of the snake is similar in composition to the poisons of the Mexican and North American rattlesnakes, and thus is distinguished primarily by tissue -destroying proteins. The effect is recognized according mainly from tissue damage, local painful swelling and hemorrhagic effects. Crotoxin, which is typical of the venom of the South American Neotropical rattlesnake and there has neurotoxic effect occurs here only in the pups.
Subspecies
Currently three subspecies are distinguished:
- C. s culminatus in Mexico in the southwestern Michoacán, southern and western Morelos, Guerrero and Oaxaca to the south-east. In addition, this subspecies is probably present in Puebla and the Mexican Federal District.
- C. s simus in southeastern Mexico from Veracruz, Oaxaca, Tabasco and Chiapas through Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
- C. s tzabcan in Mexico in Yucatán, Campeche, Quintana Roo and eastern Tabasco, northern Guatemala, and northern Belize.
Until 2004 this species as nominate the Neotropical rattlesnake (C. durissus ) was performed.