Photo credit: Gary Nafis
The Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake, Crotalus catalinensis, is listed as ‘CRITICALLY ENDANGERED’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. As its name suggests, this rattlesnake is restricted to Isla Santa Catalina in the Gulf of California, an island covering just 40 square kilometres.
Once thought to be a common species, the Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake has suffered declines, primarily due to the killing and illegal collection of individuals. Unfortunately, its passive behaviour makes it an easy target. In addition, a decline in the Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake’s main prey, the Deer Mouse, may pose a further risk to this highly threatened species.
Like many snakes, the Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake may receive less conservation attention than it deserves due to long-standing and fairly widespread negative attitudes towards snakes. There is a need to monitor populations and to prevent over-collection of this restricted range species.
Geographic Range of the Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake
Credit: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
To learn more about the Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake, click here. Or visit the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ by clicking their logo below.
To learn more about the Bush Warriors “Species of the Day” feature, please click here and read up on our initiative to raise awareness about the loss of earth’s biodiversity.
