New World coral snakes possess the second most potent venom of any North American snake, behind some rattlesnake species.
Nearly identical neurotoxins have been discovered in five North American rattlesnake species besides C. scutulatus.
As with other rattlesnake species, western rattlesnakes will rapidly vibrate their tails, which produces a unique rasping sound to warn intruders.
This is in contrast to many other rattlesnake species that prey on lizards almost exclusively as juveniles, switching to mammals as adults.
The Mexican West Coast Rattlesnake is one of the largest rattlesnake species.
It is the most recent rattlesnake species to be discovered in the United States.
They are often more active at colder temperatures than other rattlesnake species.
Solitary outside of mating season, they are one of the more aggressive rattlesnake species found in North America because they rarely back away from confrontation.
This is one of the largest rattlesnake species.
This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous northeastern United States.