Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius barbouri

Range: Southern South Carolina to southeastern Mississippi and south to the tip of Florida.

Habitat: This snake is at home in all types of terrain where there are lakes and marshes. In dry habitats, it often lives in gopher tortoise tunnels.

Description: “Pygmy” implies small. Adults measure only 15 to 22 inches. They are gray with irregular black blotches. There is also a series of orange blotches running down the back that may be most distinct near the head. On some specimens, the orange spots may be very muted.

The pygmy rattlesnake is also called a ground rattler. This snake is a pit viper and although the pygmy’s bite is not fatal, it can be extremely painful and in some cases, can cause serious local tissue damage and nausea, vomiting and vertigo. On small specimens, the rattles are very hard to see and hear. These rattles, if not dampened by dew or rain, sound like a buzzing insect.

Diet: Small mice, lizards and frogs.

Reproduction: This snake bears six to ten live young which are venomous at birth.