A tiny, irritable Florida rattlesnake whose rattle is so small that it sounds more like an insect buzz than a warning.
Description
The dusky pygmy rattlesnake is a small, stocky pit viper rarely over 60 cm with a dark grey ground colour, a row of black mid-dorsal blotches, and a rust-coloured stripe along the spine. The rattle is a single tiny segment that produces a barely audible buzz.
Behavior
A bad-tempered ambush predator, the dusky pygmy strikes without much warning when stepped on or threatened. Bites are painful and can cause significant local tissue damage but are very rarely fatal. They are most active in mild humid weather and after warm rains.
Range
Restricted to the southeastern United States, particularly Florida, southern Georgia, and parts of Alabama and Mississippi. The subspecies is most common in low pine flatwoods and along the edges of cypress swamps.
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Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake starts with D and ends with E. Browse other snakes along the same letter.
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