The pygmy rattlesnake, Sistrurus miliarius, is a thick-bodied, small rattlesnake commonly called a pygmy rattler or ground rattler.
The sound only becomes audible when a snake is a few feet (about 1/2 meter) away. With the adult snake averaging 13 to 30 inches (35.5 to 76 cm) in length, this pitviper has a small rattle that is rarely heard and, if it is heard, it often is described as sounding like the buzzing of an insect. Their small size & moderately mild venom keeps them from being a serious threat to human life, but the bite is still extremely painful. The Pygmy rattlesnake is a small venomous snake native to the United States. The subspecies is most active at night and tends to be inactive during the day. Dusky pigmy rattlesnake is a short, thick-bodied, poisonous subspecies of snake, found only in the southeastern United States. You will probably find the pygmy rattler in the summertime. Description: Pigmy rattlesnakes are aptly named because they are the smallest species of rattlesnake in the United States. Size Range in length from 36-60 cm (15-24 in. Photo by JD Willson. Pygmy rattlesnakes are a species of pit viper. Rattlesnakes are venomous. Pigmy Rattlesnake. The juvenile snakes have yellow tails, such as seen in the below photo.
40-60 cm. The dusky pygmy rattlesnake is a short, thick-bodied snake. The rattles are very tiny, and can barely be seen or heard. VENOMOUS. 16 yrs. Rattlesnake bites are a medical emergency. As their common name implies this is one of the smallest rattlesnake species, much smaller than the eastern diamondback rattlesnake or even the timber rattlesnake.The Pigmy rattlesnake is a short and relatively thick-bodied snake, their length ranges from 15 to 24 inches (38 to 60 cm). Although the largest known specimens measured up to 30 inches in length (76 cm). The spots on the flanks are mostly round.
Despite their diminutive size, I have yet to meet one that didn't act like it was 12 feet long and ready to take on anything. LENGTH. Sistrurus miliarus. The snake ranges from 15 to 30 inches (38 to 78 centimeters) in length. One man I know was bitten severely enough by a large pygmy that he was hospitalized, and very nearly died. It is one of the most common venomous snakes in the state of Florida. The dorsal pattern of these snakes consists of a series of oval or subcircular spots with reasonably regular edges. Population size. Life Span. You may hear a soft buzzing sound from the tiny rattle on the end of the snake's tail. If you’re bitten by one it can be dangerous, but it’s very rarely fatal. Markings include a dark line through each eye; a series of dark, roughly circular spots running down the center of the back; a thin reddish-orange stripe along the mid-body line; and dark spots on its white belly. Unknown.
Their belly is usually gray or dusky cream in color. Information About the Snakes of North America - Pygmy Rattlesnake Pygmy Rattlesnake. Adults rarely reach over two feet. The rattling may sound like a buzzing bee, if you hear it at all. This snake is usually dull gray with a row of dark spots running down the center of its back and along its sides. Pygmy rattlesnakes are very small.