California's prettiest northern Pacific rattler

Northern Pacific rattlesnakes, Crotalus oreganus oreganus, are variably colored and patterned. All are attractive in a "rattlesnakey" sort of way, but seldom do I see one that I think to be more noteworthy that the last.

But this belief was changed when on a herping trip to the Pacific Coast a friend showed me one of his favorite captive "Norpac" rattlers.

At a glimpse I could easily see why it was his favorite, and neither before nor since have I seen what I consider its equal.

More photos under the jump...

A "normal: Northern Pacific rattler: The captive:

Author, photographer, and columnist Richard Bartlett is one of the most prolific writers on herpetological subjects in the 20th century. With hundreds of books and articles to their credit, Richard and his wife Pat have spent over four decades documenting reptiles both in the field and in captivity. For a list of their current titles, please visit their page in our bookstore.