Snakes

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

Across the regions where it's common, the Pygmy Rattlesnake peaks from July to October.

Shows up in 4 ecoregions and 6 states · venomous

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Snakes

Pygmy Rattlesnake

Sistrurus miliarius

venomous

Venomous. Do not handle. Give it room and let it move on. If you're bitten, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Don't cut, suck or ice the bite.

Look, don't take. Many states regulate collecting reptiles and amphibians. Photograph it, log it on iNaturalist and leave it where you found it.

Description

Common names: pygmy rattlesnake, eastern pygmy rattlesnake, ground rattlesnake, leaf rattler, death rattler, more. Sistrurus miliarius is a small species, but bulky in width, with adults usually growing to 40–60 cm (16–24 in) in total length (including tail).Wikipedia ↗

Habitat

Sistrurus miliarius is found in the Southeastern United States from southern and eastern North Carolina, south through peninsular Florida and west to East Texas and Oklahoma. Sistrurus miliarius primarily inhabits flatwoods, sandhills, longleaf pine savannahs, mixed scrub oak forests, and floodplains throughout the sandhills and coastal plains regions, and is also found near lakes and marshes.Wikipedia ↗

When it's active

Sistrurus miliarius is usually seen in the summer sunning itself or crossing the road late in the day. Pygmy Rattlesnakes are generally solitary but become social only during the breeding season.Wikipedia ↗

Venom

This snake produces cytotoxic venom that is strongly hemorrhagic and tissue toxic, but devoid of any neurotoxins.Wikipedia ↗

Pygmy Rattlesnake — Court Harding · CC BY 4.0

iNaturalist ↗

Harmless look-alikes

Gopher Snake, Pine Snake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Plains Hognose Snake, Mexican Hognose Snake, Prairie Kingsnake, Desert Nightsnake, Chihuahuan NightsnakeSuperficially, gopher snakes resemble many species of rattlesnakes and are often mistaken for them. Animal Diversity Web ↗Non-human predators are likely to be discouraged from attacking gopher snakes when they are mimicing rattlesnakes. Animal Diversity Web ↗Rattlesnakes vs. gopher snakes, bullsnakes and hognose snakes →

When and where it's active

Each row is its own calendar, counted from records in that area. Seasons shift by place.

PeakShoulderQuiet

Ecoregions

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Ozark Highlands Southern Plains South Florida Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain

States

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Arkansas Florida Georgia Missouri North Carolina Oklahoma

About the Pygmy Rattlesnake

When is the Pygmy Rattlesnake most active?

Across the regions where it's common, the Pygmy Rattlesnake peaks from July to October.

Where does the Pygmy Rattlesnake live?

It has enough records to show in 4 ecoregions and 6 states, including Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, and Missouri.

Is the Pygmy Rattlesnake venomous?

Yes. The Pygmy Rattlesnake is venomous. Don't handle it, and give it room.

What snakes get mistaken for the Pygmy Rattlesnake?

Harmless lookalikes include the Gopher Snake, Pine Snake, and Eastern Hognose Snake.