Desert Massasauga
Sistrurus catenatus edwardsi
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- S. c. edwardsi – Cochise Co, AZ – photo by Tom Brennan AzPARC
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- S. c. edwardsi – Starr Co, TX – photo by Ryan Nelson
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- S. c. edwardsi – Map by Tom Lott, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Sistrurus c. edwardsi occurs in isolated populations in southeastern Arizona, central New Mexico and western and southern Texas.
LEGAL STATUS: Sistrurus c. edwardsi is protected in Arizona.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Sistrurus catenatus edwardsi (Baird & Girard – 1853)
Genus: Crotalus, Greek – krotalon = a rattle ref. rattle on tail
Species: catenatus, Latin = chain or chain-like
Subspecies: edwardsi, honors L. A. Edwards
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962