PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKE

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Click Here For "Rattle" Sound Of Prairie Rattlesnake * Distribution: counties along the eastern side of the Missouri River and all counties in western South Dakota

Characteristics: * Rattle segment(s) at the end of the tail * Pits below the midline of each eye and each nostril * Pupil of the eye is elongate rather than round * Upper body is light brown to greenish with dark, light-bordered blotches along back * Triangular-shaped head * Keeled scales * Venomous * Diet: rodents (including mice, ground squirrels, and the young of prairie dogs or cottontails), other snakes, lizards, and birds * Habitat: open prairies, haylands, and croplands