Deadly or Not???

[Topsail Transplant]

Does anyone know what kind of snake this is and whether it is poisonous? This little guy has visited us twice now, and just want to make sure....

Thanks!

 

[mikecat adjuster]

That is a Pygmy Rattlesnake and yes, it is poisonous. Not really deadly, but I would not want to be bitten by him. I've seen so, so many of these since moving here two years ago. There are a couple on my street dead right now from being rolled over and I've seen several more.

I've captured numerous ones from my yard and transplanted them deeper in the woods. An 8 year old was bitten by a Pygmy this year and from my recollection was transported to a hospital in Pensacola where he was treated and recovered.

They flatten out when provoked and move erratically and while they shake their rattle, it is most often not audible.

Thanks for sharing. Check out my Eastern Diamondback video. That is the most dangerous snake in North America, but is actually very docile. It's jst that if you are bit by one, well, Ouch! You can die.

 

[Roy Hardin]

Any pit viper is dangerous. It can kill you. If not, have HEALTHY insurance. It hurts to be bitten. I was bitten by a copperhead, almost killed me. However, several hundred thousand dollars later, many pounds lost etc. I'm still here. KILL IT!!!!! PS, Look it up on the web.

 

[beachmouse]

They are not good neighbors because they tend to curl up in landscaping plants and you don't see them until your hand is three inches away from their head, at which time they're striking at you in self-defense. (Walmart's garden centers actually have something of a problem with that)

Would relocate to or nudge them toward an unpopulated area if you feel like you can do so safely.

In general, they're the reason why you should always wear heavy gloves while doing yardwork down here.

 

[gmarc]

so pigmy rattlers are many differnt colors? i thought they blended in with the pinestraw?

 

[mikecat adjuster]

so pigmy rattlers are many differnt colors? i thought they blended in with the pinestraw?

Like any snake, pygmy rattlers can vary somewhat in appearance from one to another, but pretty much, they don't deviate much from the picture provided. On many there exists a beautiful red stripe down the center.

This one has more of an Auburn colored stripe down its center, but you get the idea.

 

[Beach Runner]

They are not good neighbors because they tend to curl up in landscaping plants and you don't see them until your hand is three inches away from their head, at which time they're striking at you in self-defense. (Walmart's garden centers actually have something of a problem with that)

Would relocate to or nudge them toward an unpopulated area if you feel like you can do so safely.

In general, they're the reason why you should always wear heavy gloves while doing yardwork down here.

Hubby was throwing pine straw at the beach house and had on cuffed garden gloves. He felt something sort of wet in his glove. It was a pygmy rattlesnake! Thank God it didn't bite him.

 

[mikecat adjuster]

I shot some film of one today. It was a pretty impressive little critter. Actually, for a pygmy, it was quite large. I'll maybe put that video up in a day or so.

 

[florida girl]

General rule if it has a triangular shaped head, it's a viper, and poisonous.

 

[Beach Runner]

So I guess the take-away is that when we walk our dogs, we need to be on the lookout for snakes.

My Pepper would get aggressive with a snake, just as she does with leaves that blow by on the patio. Not good.