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Cascavel Escura do Planalto Central
Crotalus triseriatus
<i>Crotalus triseriatus</i> (commonly known as Cascavel Escura do Planalto Central) is native to transverse volcanic belt of Mexico, where it inhabits montane pine-oak forests, alpine meadows, and high-altitude rocky areas.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Viperidae
Subfamily:Crotalinae
Genus:Crotalus
Species:Crotalus triseriatus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
25 - 30 °C
Night temperature
15 - 20 °C
Adult size
68.3 cm
UVB
Low - Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Crotalus triseriatus (commonly known as Cascavel Escura do Planalto Central) is native to transverse volcanic belt of Mexico, where it inhabits montane pine-oak forests, alpine meadows, and high-altitude rocky areas. This montane viper is found at high elevations in alpine meadows and humid coniferous forests of central Mexico.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Viperidae, genus Crotalus. It is studied for its unique venom genetics and specialized physiological adaptations. It exhibits unique genetic traits linked to extreme cold tolerance at high altitudes and venom composed of specialized peptides.
Behavior and Habits: Predominantly terrestrial, solitary, and nocturnal. It spends most of the day camouflaged in leaf litter or under shelters waiting for prey. It displays terrestrial and secretive habits, spending its time hidden under rocks or grass tufts to avoid aerial predators.
Morphology: Adults reach an average size of 55.0 cm. Males typically exhibit longer tails than adult females. Its compact morphology features a grey-brown base color with a series of dark dorsal spots that aid in leaf-litter camouflage.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires an escape-proof terrarium of at least 100 liters with natural loose substrate and secure hiding spots. The terrarium must be escape-proof and secure, containing dry, well-draining substrate and multiple hides across the thermal gradient.
Lighting and Heating: Carnivorous diet consisting of properly sized rodents fed via long feeding tongs. Supplement with vitamins. Requires a controlled daytime temperature gradient paired with a significant night drop to mimic high-altitude mountain conditions.
Humidity and Hydration: Keep ambient temperatures at 12.0-24.0°C with a basking spot of 26.0°C. Provide low UVB. Humidity levels must be carefully managed to avoid stagnant air, providing a moist moss box to assist with the shedding process.
Feeding and Supplementation: Solitary species, must be housed individually. Keeping multiple snakes together leads to severe stress. Feeds on appropriately sized rodents offered at regular intervals, utilizing long steel feeding tongs for maximum safety.
Compatibility: Breeding is difficult in captivity, requiring a cooling period and careful introduction under supervision. As a venomous and hazardous species, it should only be maintained in dedicated venomous rooms by certified keepers.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to respiratory tract infections if ventilation is poor, and blister disease if the substrate is excessively wet. Prone to respiratory infections if ventilation is inadequate, and scale rot if the substrate remains damp for extended periods.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Crotalus triseriatus (commonly known as Cascavel Escura do Planalto Central) is native to transverse volcanic belt of Mexico, where it inhabits montane pine-oak forests, alpine meadows, and high-altitude rocky areas. This montane viper is found at high elevations in alpine meadows and humid coniferous forests of central Mexico.
Origin
Central America and Caribbean
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 68.3 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 68.3 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 68.3 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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