How to Identify the Pygmy Rattlesnake

Learn where to find the pygmy rattlesnake. Pygmy rattlesnakes generally prefer to be in sand hills and coastal plains. Different species reside in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina and are most plentiful toward the coast. They will often linger around water sources such as creeks and streams throughout this range.

Avoid the temptation to assume the small stature of these snakes means it is not dangerous. The pygmy rattlesnake is usually around 15 to 23 inches long, but packs a pretty nasty, venomous bite. The rattle is often so small that you do not even hear it when it sounds the warning.

Notice that the pygmy species vary wildly with color. The dusky pygmy and the Carolina pygmy can both be any number of base colors. They have been known to be red, gray, tan, lavender and even orange. Both species have a row of spots and a bar that runs from the eye to the jawline. This bar is usually black.

Realize that due to the small size, and incredible ability to stay hidden from view, the pygmy is rarely seen in the wild. Though it is not considered endangered, the Pygmy is protected in North Carolina and Tennessee. Most pygmy rattlesnakes that are seen in the wild are found crossing roadways or basking in the heat.

Practice safe viewing if you ever encounter a pygmy rattlesnake. Use binoculars if you wish to get a close-up view. Always give a snake a wide berth, as even the tiny pygmy rattlesnake can strike with lightning quick accuracy. Never attempt to hold this snake.

Remember that the pygmy is very small, and the babies are even smaller. The pygmy gives birth to young that are born with a yellow tail. Much like the North American copperhead, they use this yellow appendage to lure prey close by, wiggling it like a worm.

Realize that the dusky pygmy is often covered in dark splotches and colored black underneath. This can lead to a mistaken identity of the snake, as the tell-tale pattern is often obscured.