The desert massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii) is spread throughout southeastern and south central New Mexico. In this region, they live in desert grassland areas. This rattlesnake may be identified by the two spots on the top of its head. Desert massasaugas grow up to 30 inches in length.
Ridgenose rattlesnakes (Crotalus willardi) live throughout the Animas Mountains of southwest New Mexico. These rattlesnakes are considered a threatened species in New Mexico. Ridgenoses have reddish brown, yellow and gray scales. Adult ridgenoses reach lengths of 2 feet. As their name suggests, ridgenoses have slight ridges at the tip of their noses.
Also known as Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus, the northern Mojave rattlesnake's range barely enters into southern New Mexico. This snake is named after the Mojave Desert in southern California and Arizona, where its populations are more abundant. Northern Mojave rattlesnakes grow up to 40 inches when mature. Olive green, tan and yellow are some of the snake's primary colors.
Central and southwestern New Mexico is home to the black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus). These snakes generally live in wooded canyons and rocky, mountainous habitats. Most of the snake's body has gray and white scales, but its tail is solid black. Adult black-tailed rattlesnakes grow to approximately 50 inches long.
Western diamondback rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox) are largest venomous snakes in New Mexico with some specimens growing up to 7 feet long. This snake is also one of New Mexico's most commonly seen rattlesnakes; its range extends throughout most of the state. Western diamondbacks get their name from the diamond-shaped patterns on their dorsal (upper) region.
The mottled rock rattlesnake's (Crotalus lepidus lepidus) range in New Mexico only reaches the southeastern region of the state. Most of the snake's range is in Texas. This snake's habitats are pine forests and rocky terrain. Brown, gray and green are the usual colors for mottled rock rattlesnakes. In New Mexico, the mottled rock rattlesnake is a threatened species.
One of the most common rattlesnakes in New Mexico is the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis). Prairie rattlesnakes live throughout New Mexico, except for the state's far northwestern corner. Some prairie rattlesnakes grow up to 5 feet in length. Although these snakes generally live in open grassland habitats, prairie rattlesnakes also appear in desert pine forests.