Species of the Day: Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake
© Gary Nafis / www.californiaherps.com
Species of the Day: Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake 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. Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org Help Save Species www.arkive.org
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.
Species of the Day is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.
Species of the Day: Santa Catalina Island Rattlesnake 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. Geographical range
www.iucnredlist.org Help Save Species www.arkive.org
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.
Species of the Day is sponsored by
The production of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is made possible through the IUCN Red List Partnership: IUCN (including the Species Survival Commission), BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureServe and Zoological Society of London.
