Rattlesnake!

[Wendee]

I had a 3-foot diamondback going into my coop needless I killed it and ate it. Now my black speckled kingsnakes I relocate.

 

[olyveoil]

Hello all,

I just have to share my experience with rattle snakes. My mil has a real problem with them, pygmy rattlesnakes, in the flower garden surrounding her mailbox. I live in NW Florida and these little buggers can hide in smaller areas. One hid inside her mailbox and the only reason I know that is because she asked to to get her mail that the mailman had just put in there.

It struck my finger, but by the grace of God it didn't pierce the skin. That one became fertilizer and not long after that, while cleaning out that flower bed with her, another one crawled over my foot. She found several more after that day. Please be careful, don't try to handle them. They are not friendly and they don't understand it if you're trying to relocate them.

I have heard, also (this could be misinformation) that rattlesnakes travel in pairs. Again, please don't try handling them if you're not experienced with them. Have an awesome, safe day!

 

[TinaMarieofFL]

Also in north Florida. Around here canebreaks and the dominant rattler. I agree they aren’t a huge threat to the adult flock or eggs. I don’t see why they wouldn’t take bitties if they could, that’s close enough to bobwhite quail. Major danger to your family though. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. The snake is a biological landmine. Step to close and it might blow up on you whether you’re a real threat to it or not. If you see the snake more than once, or see it once and separately find a skin on another occasion , its not just passing thru. It will live there as long as there is a food source.

Are you in a position to shoot it? Rat shot in a powerful caliber like .357 can wreck a snake’s day while you stay at a safe distance.

My veterinarian recommends dispatching ANY venomous snake. Definitely shoot it. Shot shells in a .357 or .38 will do nicely. I use shot shells in my .38 to dispatch rats that go after feed. Good luck.

 

[NightingaleJen]

My mil has a real problem with them, pygmy rattlesnakes, in the flower garden surrounding her mailbox.

Pygmy rattlesnakes? I didn't even know those existed.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

Pygmy rattlesnakes? I didn't even know those existed.

I think they’re only found in the Southeastern US. When I was a child my grandfather was bit by one while we were doing a summer scouting trip in the woods for the upcoming hunting season. We were an hour out from our vehicle and another 30 minutes from the nearest hospital. It didn’t kill him but the bite game him problems for years.

They’re mean little snakes. The larger species are far more passive than a pygmy. Most pygmies are small enough to coil up in the palm of a small hand. I once saw one that was around 3 feet long but it was a once in a lifetime specimen.

 

[centrarchid]

They range up into southern Missouri and western Texas.

 

[NightingaleJen]

@Florida Bullfrog @centrarchid Interesting. Since they're smaller, I'd definitely think they were more dangerous than the larger snakes.

 

[centrarchid]

@Florida Bullfrog @centrarchid Interesting. Since they're smaller, I'd definitely think they were more dangerous than the larger snakes.

I have not met enough to make a comparison with other species. Additionally both species have subspecies making them up, and if anything like critters I do know well, then behavioral distances are likely to swamp size differences.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

Their venom is not as potent as Eastern diamondbacks or canebrakes nor do they inject as much because of their small size. Its their disposition that makes them so foul. They strike very fast and with little to no provocation. Many things can eat them so they react accordingly. They’re also exceptionally camouflaged and hard to see when coiled. You’ll see on some snake documentaries that the Steve Irwin types won’t handle pygmies within striking range because they’re too fast.

I don’t think there has ever been a documented human death from a pygmy. But they can do a lot of tissue damage and are bad news for dogs.

When I was a teenager I kept one as a secret pet for a time but I finally got the good sense to let it go. Having a miniature rattler that comfortably fit in a plastic critter box was fascinating.

 

[Florida Bullfrog]

One other minor point; you'll often hear old timers in the South calling pygmy rattlers "ground rattlers." I don't know why, as all rattlesnakes are ground dwellers. Eastern diamondbacks can be found in are semi-aquatic sometimes and I've never know a pygmy rattler to be associated with water, so maybe that's why. Or maybe due to their exceptional camouflage (although no less so well camoed than an eastern diamonback).