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Linnaean Classification
Domain: Eukarya Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Family: Viperidae Genus: Crotalus Species: Crotalus atrox Conformer: This organism is not a regulator as it is a cold-blooded animal, being a reptile. This means that the organism does not maintain a constant body temperature, and it fluctuates based on the environment’s temperature. So, it is a conformer. Dormancy: This organism is a dormant because in the winter, it hibernates underground. Additionally, it does not move much. It does come out of its home for eating and mating, but usually it stays in its home. Generalist: This animal is a generalist because it is able to survive in many environments, not just the chaparral. Apart from the chaparral, these snakes can live in the desert, sandy creosote areas, mesquite grassland, desert scrub, and pine-oak forests. Consumer: This animal is a consumer because it only obtains energy from other living organisms, it cannot perform photosynthesis or chemosynthesis, so it is a consumer. Carnivore: This snake is a carnivore because it only eats consumers, such as prairie dogs, kangaroo rats , pocket gophers, voles, woodrats, pocket mice, white-footed mice, Old World rats and mice, harvest mice, fox squirrels, cotton rats, ground squirrels, rabbits, and jackrabbits. Niche: This particular rattlesnake is a key participant in the food chain, being an important predator of many small rodents, rabbits, and birds. It however, is preyed upon by a variety of larger mammals and birds, such as coyotes, foxes, hawks, and owls. The snake can also tolerate many environments and temperatures, being a generalist. The females can give birth to up to a dozen offspring at a time, and the gestation period is 6-7 months. |
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