Appearance
This snake grows to a maximum length of 75 cm. The smallest gravid female measured was 52.2 cm.The color pattern of this species consists of a pinkish, pale brown, yellow-brown, straw-colored, reddish, or yellow-brown ground color, overlaid with a series of brown elliptical or rectangular dorsal blotches. However, most specimens are gray or silvery. In juveniles, the pattern is distinct, but becomes faded in adults, almost to the point where it is indistinguishable from the ground color.
Defense
This species possesses the most toxic venom of the ''C. oreganus'' / ''C. viridis'' group, although apparently considerable variability exists among local populations. It is even one of the most potent venoms found in North America, and according to LD50 studies, the venom is many times more potent than that of an Asiatic cobra. It is characterized by the presence of a presynaptic neurotoxin, referred to as concolor toxin, the amount of which varies in individual snakes.References:
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