Appearance
Adult specimens are 66–121 cm in overall length, but rarely exceed 1 m . The males grow larger than the females.On the subject of scalation, one of the more distinctive characteristics of this subspecies is that it has three or more internasal scales – something that it has in common with ''C. viridis''.
The color pattern usually consists of a buff, pale gray, pale brown, olive brown or yellowish brown ground color, overlaid with a series of 32-49 dorsal blotches. These blotches are dark brown to black in color, with pale centers and pale borders, and are often irregular in shape and wider than they are long. There is also a series of lateral blotches that are indistinct anteriorly, but become more distinct posteriorly and eventually merge with the dorsal blotches to form crossbands. Older specimens sometimes have a faded pattern, or they may have uniformly black blotches, with the dorsum of the head also being black.
Status
The Great Basin rattlesnake is protected in Utah.Habitat
Inhabits the dry and barren areas of the Great Basin region, being found on hills, summits and old lake benches. They are said to prefer southern exposures among rocks and boulders on hillsides and buttes, low foothills, mountainsides, open deserts, alfalfa fields and valley floors.Reproduction
Young are born alive in broods of 3 to 13.Food
''Crotalus oreganus lutosus'' feeds on amphibians, reptiles, birds, bird eggs, and mammals.References:
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