Western Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
Two closely related rattlesnakes that meet in southwestern Wyoming. A: the Western Rattlesnake's back blotches are wider, blockier, hexagonal to diamond-shaped, often with sharp light borders; the Prairie Rattlesnake's are more rounded, oval or kidney-shaped with narrow pale outlines. B: in the Western Rattlesnake the dark stripe running back from the eye toward the corner of the jaw is sharply defined and bordered by clean white lines; in the Prairie Rattlesnake it is narrower, less distinct, and blends into the head colour. C: the scales right over the eyes (supraoculars) are flat or only slightly raised in the Western Rattlesnake; in the Prairie Rattlesnake they are often raised and pitted, with upturned outer edges. Wyoming's Western Rattlesnake is the small, pale Midget Faded Rattlesnake of the Green River basin, whose blotches fade with age. Both are venomous: observe from a distance.
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