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Definition of mitchell rattlesnake
mitchell rattlesnake
Plural:Mitchell rattlesnakes
mitchell rattlesnake Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A venomous pit viper (Crotalus mitchellii), more commonly known as the speckled rattlesnake, native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, noted for its highly variable, speckled coloration that provides excellent camouflage in rocky desert habitats.
Example
"While hiking through the Mojave Desert, the researchers were careful to watch their step to avoid startling a well-camouflaged Mitchell rattlesnake resting among the granite rocks."
Word Origin & Etymology
The species (Crotalus mitchellii) was named in 1861 by paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope to honor Silas Weir Mitchell, an American physician and neurologist who conducted pioneering early research on the properties and effects of rattlesnake venom.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Mitchell rattlesnake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/mitchell rattlesnake