The Southern Pacific Rattlesnake

This article is entirely based on my opinion on keeping Southern Pacific rattlesnakes (Crotalus Oreganus Helleri). Although I don’t have years of experience to talk about, I believe the fact that I live in this snake’s habitat, and regularly come in contact with them, makes me better able to explain their captive care conditions than some other keepers from different regions. I’ve been keeping these rattlesnakes for a little under a year now and in that relatively short time I have come in contact with many specimens that I have found in the wild and acquired. Southern Pacific rattlesnakes are, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful rattlesnake species and make extremely hardy captive animals. Although these snakes can be extremely dangerous, they do not require a terrible amount of experience to properly maintain.

In the United States Southern Pacific rattlesnakes are found along the Southern Coast of California where they regularly come in contact with people. They live in a wide variety of habitats from mountains, to grasslands, to semi-arid areas. They can be very common in some areas and are usually active from late March to early October depending on the weather. They also seem to be more tolerant of the cold than other rattlesnake species in Southern California.

Southern Pacific rattlesnakes can be extremely variable in appearance. Some specimens are a very dark color with few patterns, others have a high contrast, and others yet have an olive drab coloration to them. The variable appearance may have something to due with the fact that they live in such a wide variety of habitats here in California. I have noticed that specimens from higher elevations tend to be a lot darker than specimens in lower elevations that tend to have a “greenish” coloration.

These snakes can be EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! Even juvenile specimens have been recorded as having delivered serious envenomations and adults are more than capable of delivering a lethal dose of venom. Their venom is a very potent hemotoxin and in many specimens can express some neurotoxin properties. Specimens from Mt. San Jacinto in particular tend to have more neurotoxins than hemotoxins. DO NOT skip the hospital or delay going to the hospital following a bite by this species. Although bites by Southern Pacific rattlesnakes can cause a massive amount of local tissue damage, they tend to produce less in the way of local reactions and more severe systemic effects. Most specimens I have dealt with were very docile, neither rattling, nor assuming a defense posture. However, some specimens can be extremely defensive and be quick to bite. I have also noticed that Southern Pacific Rattlesnakes are very unpredictable, more so than my other rattlesnakes. Some of my snakes can appear to be very calm at first then lash out at the closes movement they see. DO NOT TAKE CHANCES WITH THESE SNAKES!

A single or pair of large adults can be comfortably maintained in a 55 gallon or similar sized enclosures. Hide boxes are a must and decorations should be provided to add a natural sense of the snakes environment. Although some of my other rattlesnake species don’t seem to care much about their cage furnishings, my Southern Pacifics tend to enjoy and utilize the fake plants, logs, and rocks I provide them with. Temperatures on the basking side of the cage should be between 80-85 degrees with the cool side being 70-75 degrees. A water bowl should be provided as these snakes do tend to live near areas with lots of water and drink regularly.

I have never had too big of a problem with feeding my Southern Pacific rattlesnakes. Most specimens are very voracious eaters and will eagerly accept any prey item given to them. I have heard from other keepers that when feeding juvenile snakes rodents should be scented with lizards, however, I have not had a big problem with juveniles accepting rodents. With Southern Pacific rattlesnakes in particular, rodents die very fast following an envenomation, much faster than my other rattlesnake species, including my Mohaves. Adults should be fed appropriately sized rodents every three to four weeks and juveniles should be fed every other week.

In order for breeding to take place adults should be allowed a cooling period. Here in Southern California the weather tends to cool down greatly from October to March. Please note that even in the coldest months of winter, temperatures here usually do not fall below 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit so hibernation temperatures should not be too low. Juveniles have a bright green tail that will eventually darken with age. Juveniles also tend to be very light in color compared to many adults.

Southern Pacific rattlesnakes make very hardy captives that require little space or considerations, and would make a beautiful addition to any venomous snake collection. Although most specimens tend to be non-defensive, their venom, combined with their size, makes them very dangerous snakes and they should not be kept by first-time keepers. Please feel free to comment with any concerns or questions.

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