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Rattlesnake

Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake

Venomous

Crotalus ericsmithi

Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake
Crotalus ericsmithi, (c) Miriam Tellez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Guerreran Long-tailed RattlesnakeGuerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake

3 photographs of the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake. (c) Miriam Tellez, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus ericsmithi) is a venomous snake in the Viperidae family, recorded in 1 country.

If you are bitten

Rattlesnake bites are medically serious. Expect intense pain, rapid swelling, and bruising. Stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to an emergency room immediately. Do NOT apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 in the US, or your local emergency number. (Source: CDC.)

Also called
Rattlesnake
Family
Viperidae
Size
Typically 2–5 ft; some species exceed 6 ft.
Habitat
Deserts, rocky outcrops, grasslands, and woodland edges, depending on species.
Behavior
Ambush predators that buzz the tail as a warning; mostly active in warm months and often crepuscular in summer heat.
Identify
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
Danger
high

About the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake

Crotalus ericsmithi, commonly known as the Guerreran long-tailed rattlesnake, is a species of venomous snake of the family Viperidae. The species is indigenous to southeastern Mexico.

Etymology

The specific name, ericsmithi, is in honor of American herpetologist Eric N. Smith.

Geographic range

C. ericsmithi is endemic to the Mexican state of Guerrero.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of C. ericsmithi is tropical oak and pine forests at altitudes of 500–1,200 m (1,600–3,900 ft).

Distinguishing characteristics

Compared to most other rattlesnakes, C. ericsmithi has an unusually long tail with a very small rattle.

Reproduction

C. ericsmithi is ovoviviparous.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake

Is the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake venomous?
Yes. The Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus ericsmithi) is venomous and belongs to the Viperidae family (rattlesnake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake dangerous?
Rattlesnake bites are medically serious. Expect intense pain, rapid swelling, and bruising. Stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to an emergency room immediately. Do NOT apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 in the US, or your local emergency number. (Source: CDC.)
Where does the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake live?
The Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake has verified records in 1 country, including Mexico. See the distribution section below for its full range.
How do I identify the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake?
Heavy body, broad triangular head, vertical (cat-like) pupils, and a segmented keratin rattle at the tail tip.
How big does the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake get?
Typically 2–5 ft; some species exceed 6 ft.
Why is it called the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake?
The specific name, ericsmithi, is in honor of American herpetologist Eric N. Smith.

If you are bitten by the Guerreran Long-tailed Rattlesnake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Do

  • Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
  • Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
  • Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
  • Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
  • Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
  • Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

  • Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
  • Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
  • Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
  • Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
  • Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Mexico

More Viperidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
Viperidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
Crotalus
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Crotalus ericsmithi

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.