7 Different Types of Rattlesnakes in New Mexico

In New Mexico, snakes have a poor image, partly because there are so many of them; there are at least 46 species!

Luckily, only some types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico are poisonous.

Only the state’s southern regions are home to seven types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico. 

We can have a safer coexistence if we gain a greater awareness of and respect for these types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico by knowing more about them.

1. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake 

One of the most common types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico, the Western Diamondback, is found all across the state.

Its habitat is found in northern Mexico and the southern United States.

Unlike many other types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico on our list, these snakes are hostile. 

The Western diamondback rattlesnake, which prefers to hold its position over hiding or running away, maybe the most hostile rattlesnake.

The majority of its venom is hemotoxic and targets red blood cells. 

The largest rattlesnake species in New Mexico is the western diamondback, which grows to a length of 4–6 feet and has a lifespan of more than 20 years.

They have darker diamond patterns spanning the length of their bodies, but they are primarily gray. The outline of these diamond markings is either yellow or white. 

In addition, many of New Mexico’s western diamondback rattlesnakes exhibit pink and red tones.

The striking black and white rings on the end of the Western diamondback rattlesnake’s tail, which appear shortly before the rattle, are among its most distinguishing characteristics.

Due to this distinctive characteristic, it is occasionally called the “Coon-Tail Rattlesnake.”

2. The Mojave Rattlesnake

The Mojave Rattlesnake lives in the southernmost region of New Mexico. Its habitat also includes the southwest region of the United States and central Mexico.

The 39–54-inch Mojave rattlesnake is found in desert regions with minimal vegetation. It spends most of its time outdoors.

The Mojave rattlesnake is colored in olive green, greenish-gray, or brown (often with a hint of green).

Although it looks similar, the Western rattlesnake does not have this “Mojave” green coloring. 

The Mojave rattlesnake has a white band on its tail and a dark diamond pattern running down the middle of its back. Its total lifespan is roughly 12.5 years.

One of the worst snake venoms in North America is found in Mojave rattlesnakes. However, if you get medical assistance as soon as possible, anti-venom can be used to treat bites.

Strong neurotoxic and hemotoxic venom from Mojave rattlesnakes simultaneously targets the circulatory and neurological systems.

3. Mottled Rock Rattlesnake

The Mottled Rock Rattlesnake lives in the extreme southeast region of New Mexico. Its habitat also includes other rocky and mountainous areas in the southwest of the United States. 

These rattlesnake snakes in New Mexico belong to the rock rattlesnake subspecies. They are normally less than 32 inches long, yet they can reach up to 3 feet in length.

The color of the speckled rock rattlesnake varies depending on its location. 

Higher-altitude snakes tend to be darker, and some are even pink than lower-altitude snakes, which are often light gray.

This snake’s body is striped with dark colors. It occasionally has extra little spots dispersed all over its body, giving it a “mottled” appearance.

The speckled rock rattlesnake is not a particularly hostile species. It waits until a threat is extremely close before rattling its tail in warning.

This snake is normally calm and wants to blend in with its surroundings to avoid encounters with humans and large animals. 

Its strong hemotoxic venom makes it a hazardous rattlesnake nonetheless. State regulations in New Mexico protect the mottled rock rattlesnake, just like the banded rock rattlesnake.

4. New Mexico Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake

Southeast New Mexico is home to the New Mexico Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake.

This snake’s extremely narrow range comprises the far southeast of Arizona and a few isolated areas of Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico. 

It is a 21-year-old subspecies of the ridge-nosed rattlesnake that can reach 20 to 24 inches long.

The New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake is endangered due to its restricted distribution and attraction to reptile collectors. 

State laws also safeguard it in New Mexico. Ridge-nosed rattlesnakes in New Mexico typically have drab coloring that helps them blend in with their surroundings.

These slim types of rattlesnake snakes in New Mexico have light-colored bands and tiny brown spots strewn across their gray, sandy-gray, reddish-gray, or brownish-gray bodies. 

Like all other ridge-nosed rattlesnakes, the New Mexico ridge-nosed rattlesnake has a characteristic ridge formed by several upturned scales along the sides of its snout.

Some snakes may also have facial stripes that are incredibly faded white.

The ridge-nosed rattlesnake of New Mexico consumes lizards, birds, and small animals. It often waits to ambush its prey by hiding in leaf litter.

These types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico scale plants and trees to gain a better perspective and find food. 

5. Northern Black-Tailed Rattlesnake 

The low deserts and mountains of central and southwest New Mexico are home to the Northern Black-Tailed Rattlesnake.

Its habitat is found in Mexico and the southwest of the United States. This 24-48-inch snake is a subspecies of the black-tailed rattlesnake. It can live for 25 to 20 years.

The color spectrum of northern black-tailed rattlesnakes includes greenish-yellow, olive-gray, yellowish, reddish-brown, and black.

These types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico appear to be wearing masks because of the dark band that runs over their eyes. 

The snake’s back is covered in dark bands that resemble diamonds and extend to its tail. As its name suggests, the Northern black-tailed rattlesnake has a dark gray or black tail.

6. Prairie Rattlesnake

Prairie rattlesnake is also on our list of types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico. The entire state of New Mexico is home to the prairie rattlesnake. 

These types of rattlesnake snakes in New Mexico have light-colored bodies ranging from 36 to 54 inches.

Prairie rattlesnakes’ base color is usually brown, gray, or green, with brown blotches along the length of their backs. 

These dark patches resemble ovals and have strong white borders. Instead of spots, there are black rings towards the tail.

Prairie rattlesnakes’ 16–20-year lifetime is attributed to their ridged or keeled scales, which give their body a harsh, desert-like texture.

The venom of the prairie rattlesnake, known as hemotoxin, targets blood vessels and the cardiovascular system.

Additionally, neurotoxins in its venom target the neurological system and cause paralysis. 

These snakes commonly consume small mammals such as mice, rats, ground squirrels, prairie dogs, and rabbits.

However, they occasionally consume ground-nesting birds, small reptiles, and amphibians.

7. Desert Massasauga Rattlesnake

Lastly on our list, The Desert Massasauga inhabits parts of northern Mexico, the southwestern United States, and southern New Mexico.

It is one of the tiny types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico, often growing to 18 inches in length.

Its color is sandy, usually tan or gray, and it has huge brown spots that are closely spaced down the center of its back. 

The cheeks of the desert massasauga are striped in dark brown on both sides, extending from the rear corner of the mouth to the eye. Just below this black cheek stripe is another very thin white line.

A hostile rattlesnake is not the desert Massasauga. Being timid, these types of rattlesnakes in New Mexico would usually rather slither away from danger and threats than fight or protect themselves.

The rattle of the desert massasauga is not as loud as that of a larger rattlesnake; instead, it sounds more like crickets.

Researchers have discovered that this rattlesnake can live up to 20 years when given the proper care and attention, even if they are unsure how long it will survive in the wild.