Crotalus

A genus of rattlesnakes (family Crotalidae) native to North America, having large fangs that are replaced periodically throughout life and a venom that is both neurotoxic and hemolytic. The largest species are the diamondbacks of the southern states (C. adamanteus) and western states (C. atrox); the smallest are the pigmy rattlers. [G. krotalon, a rattle, fr. krotos, a rattling noise]

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Cro·ta·lus -əl-əs n the type genus of the family Crotalidae that includes many of the rattlesnakes

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Cro·ta·lus (kroґtə-ləs) [L., from Gr. krotalon rattle] a genus of venomous rattlesnakes of the family Crotalidae; numerous species are found in North America. C. adamanґteus is the eastern diamondback rattlesnake; C. atroxґ is the western diamondback rattlesnake; C. cerasґtes is the sidewinder; C. durisґsus terriґficus is the cascabel of Central and South America; C. horґridus is the timber rattlesnake; and C. scutulaґtus scutulaґtus is the Mojave rattlesnake. C. viґridis has many subspecies in the western and southwestern United States, such as C. viґridis viґridis, the prairie rattlesnake. See rattlesnake and see table at snake.