Mojave Rattlesnake — Care Sheet & Morphs

Q: How big does an adult Mojave Rattlesnake get?

An adult Mojave Rattlesnake typically measures 0.8–1.2 m.

Husbandry requirements

Mojave Rattlesnake — origin: Southwestern North America: southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas and central Mexico. Deserts, semi-deserts and arid grass-and-scrub plains (Mojave, Sonora, Chihuahua)..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min18 °C

Cool side24–27 °C

Warm side30–33 °C

Basking spot33–38 °C

Heliophilic desert species requiring a genuine thermal gradient and a hot spot. Preferred body temperature ~29-32 °C. Heat sources (spot/ceramic) must be protected by a guard to prevent burns. A nighttime drop is beneficial (down to 15-18 °C tolerated).

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 45 cm

Horizontal terrestrial terrarium, fully enclosed, lockable and escape-proof (mandatory for a venomous species). Secured openings, an anti-escape system and an airlock recommended.

Floor space takes priority over height. Provide at least 2 hides (warm side and cool side) and a humid hide. Handling exclusively with hook and tongs, never with bare hands.

Humidity

30–50 %

Dry to moderate ambience. Provide a humid hide (sphagnum) to aid shedding. Avoid any stagnant humidity, which encourages respiratory infections.

Substrate

Desert sand/soil mix (allows burrowing)Aspen shavingsAbsorbent paper (quarantine / health monitoring)

Avoid pure fine sand (risk of ingestion and impaction) and toxic softwood shavings (cedar/pine). Dry substrate, occasionally moistened in the area of the humid hide.

UVB

Optional

Low to moderate UVB recommended (UV index ~5-6%, Ferguson zone 2-3). Not strictly essential but beneficial for this partly diurnal desert species. Always provide a shaded area and a hide allowing it to avoid UV.

Water source

Always available

A small bowl of fresh, clean water available at all times, changed regularly. Desert species: avoid stagnant humidity. All water maintenance is carried out with the animal secured and using the hook.

Origin

Viperidae

Southwestern North America: southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, western Texas and central Mexico. Deserts, semi-deserts and arid grass-and-scrub plains (Mojave, Sonora, Chihuahua).

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore (rodent-eater) — Rodents (mice, young rats), more rarely lizards, especially in juveniles

Thawed prey of appropriate size. Type A venom (Mojave toxin): a neurotoxin specialised in the rapid paralysis of mammalian prey. Feed once every 7-14 days for an adult, using tongs with the animal secured.

Breeding

Viviparous

Litter of 2 to 13 neonates, generally in summer/late summer. Breeding requires several weeks of winter brumation (cooling). The neonates are venomous and fully dangerous from birth.

Health watch points

Respiratory infections (excess humidity or insufficient thermal gradient)
Dysecdysis / incomplete shedding (humidity too low, no humid hide)
Stomatitis (mouth rot / gingivitis)
External parasites: mites (Ophionyssus natricis)
Thermal burns from unprotected heat sources

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 3 documented genes and 1 named combos for Mojave Rattlesnake.

Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
Hypomelanistic hypoDom
Hypermelanistic blackRec

Named combos — 1 documented combined morphs

Hybino

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Mojave Rattlesnake × Mojave Rattlesnake

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the mojave rattlesnake.

How big does an adult Mojave Rattlesnake get?▾

An adult Mojave Rattlesnake typically measures 0.8–1.2 m (total adult length. medium size (~100 cm), record about 135 cm. smaller and more slender than crotalus atrox.).

What temperature and humidity does a Mojave Rattlesnake need?▾

A gradient of roughly 24–27 °C on the cool side to 30–33 °C on the warm side, with a basking spot of 33–38 °C. Humidity 30–50 %.

What does a Mojave Rattlesnake eat?▾

Carnivore (rodent-eater): Rodents (mice, young rats), more rarely lizards, especially in juveniles.

Is the Mojave Rattlesnake a good reptile for beginners?▾

Expert level. Nervous, defensive and highly reactive. Vigorously shakes its rattle as soon as it is disturbed. Its reputation as an "aggressive" species is exaggerated: it is above all a highly reactive animal that is quick to bite in defence. DANGEROUS VENOMOUS SPECIES, to be kept only by expert, licensed keepers. Plan ahead: a lifespan of 15–20 yrs.

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