Rattlesnake Scientific Name and Taxonomic Classification

Different species are named based on binomial nomenclature. The binomial nomenclature mainly consists of two names, and both these names are derived from Latin. But in some cases, it can be derived from other languages too. This name is termed as a binomial name or a scientific name. Every first part of the name tells us about generic name or genus to which organism belongs whereas the second part tells us about species name i.e. the identified by which we can differentiate organism from others. For writing binomial nomenclature, there are certain rules which have to be followed. Like Genus should always be written in capital letters while species in small letters. 

Why Scientific Name is Considered Better Than Common Name:

Criteria of writing or naming living beings on the basis of their scientific origin, which is composed of two parts is known as binomial nomenclature. Let's consider one example: the scientific name of human beings is Homo sapiens. As this method of writing living being based on its scientific origin has its own advantages. As with the help of scientific names of binomial names one can easily identify scientists and other researchers to accurately identify individual species along with that it also helps people throughout the world to communicate unambiguously about animal species. As these are unique names and can not be changed with respect to area, location or region. 

Rules of Binomial Nomenclature:

To give unique identification, biologists across the world follow a unique set of principles for naming of organisms. For this unique identification process, two codes where setup for naming organism, they are:

A. International Code of Botanical Nomenclature: It is mainly for naming plants and their species.

B. International Code of Zoological Nomenclature: it is mainly for nominal animals and their species. 

By using these codes we name organisms so that they can get unique identification. 

Binomial nomenclature follows certain conventions. As each scientific name has two parts:

1. Generic name

2. Specific epithet.

About Rattlesnake:

Of the total 33 venomous species, Rattlesnake is one among them and they have a segmentation at the tip of the tail and this produces a buzzing sound when vibration is produced. They are mainly found in southern Canada to Central Argentina but their maximum number is in desert areas of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Length of adult rattlesnake varies from 0.5 to 2 metres (1.6 to 6.6 feet). Their few species have special features with transverse bands, whereas maximum rattlesnakes are blotched with dark diamonds, hexagons, or rhombuses on a lighter background. Their colour mainly varies from grey or light brown, whereas in some snakes their colour are of various shades i.e. orange, pink, red, or green.

Their requirement for water is at least about their own body weight annually to make their body constantly hydrated. They drink water from large water bodies like streams, ponds, etc. As they submerge their head and ingest water by opening their mouth and closing jaws and by this they suck water. They also take water from other sources like small puddles, from dew, etc. 

Classification of Rattlesnake:

The scientific name of rattlesnake is Crotalus cerastes.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Suborder: Serpentes

Family: Viperidae

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Do You Known Facts:

1. Australia comes in the first position when it comes to the number of snakes.

2. Russell's viper is the most dangerous snake in Asia. 

3. Tamil Nadu has the least number of snakes in India.

4. Octopuses reproduce once in their lifetime and then they die.