Description: A large 22 to 48 inch rattlesnake that may be brown, gray, yellow-brown, or straw colored with a series of large, black or brown, blotches on the back. The blotches are jagged-edged. A few light patches mark the interior of each dorsal blotch. The blotches are eight sided with thin lined running down the sides to the belly. On the posterior part of the body the blotches become narrow, muted crossbands. The pupils are vertical and the dorsal scales are keeled. The neck is slender and the head is wide and triangular. The body color gradually fades in to a solid black tail. Individuals also have a distinctive black "eyebrow" on their face.

Habitat: This snake is found at low regions up to 8,000'. It is found in a wide variety of Desertscrub to lower Conifer Forest. It seems to be most abundant in the woodlands. It is almost always found above the flats in hilly or mountainous terrain.

Range: Texas and central and eastern New Mexico

Found in these States: NM | TX

Venom: Its venom is primarily cytotoxic, with hemotoxic compounds.

Diet: They prey primarily on rodents, especially the rock pocket mouse (Chaetodipus intermedius) and cactus mouse (Peromyscus eremicus)

Reproduction: Gives live birth.

Status: Researching.....

Taxonomy: The eastern black-tailed rattlesnake was recognized as a separate species distinct from the Black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus ssp.) in 2012.