What small mammals form the core of the diet for *Crotalus oreganus*?
Answer
Mice, ground squirrels, and pocket gophers
The carnivorous diet of the Western Rattlesnake leans heavily towards specific categories of small prey encountered within its ecosystem. The primary components of their feeding habits revolve around small mammals. Explicitly mentioned prey items that form the bulk of their diet include various species of mice, ground squirrels, and pocket gophers. Although the text notes they sometimes consume lizards or birds, their staple food source consists of these specific burrowing and ground-dwelling rodents.
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