Snakes: PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKE

Area where prairie rattlesnake is found in South Dakota

* 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

Snakes