The Catalina Island rattlesnake (Crotalus catalinensis) is a unique rattlesnake species found on the Catalina islands off the cost of southern California. The LAIR team has taken a keen interest in studying the reproductive behaviors of this rare snake. These beautiful rattlesnakes have different color morphs, with some being darker than others. The coloration difference mirrors the different areas of the islands the snake is from. Darker coloration indicate a soil-based environment with more vegetation as cover, while lighter colors blend in with a sand-based substrate with rocky outcroppings and arid scrub. Check out the differences below:
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| Dark pigment blends in more effectively with darker soils and vegetation cover |
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| Lighter pigment matches with rocky and sandy environments |
Over the
course of many years and multiple expeditions to Catalina Island, the
team has successfully bred the rattlesnakes in captivity. In fact, the team's breeding program has become one of the most successful rattler breeding programs in the country.
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