Pygmy Rattlesnake or similar small rattlesnake
Sistrurus miliarius cf. • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Sistrurus, Species: Sistrurus miliarius
Southeastern to Midwestern United States, depending on the exact species and subspecies.
Look up Pygmy Rattlesnake or similar small rattlesnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Viperidae, Subfamily: Crotalinae, Genus: Sistrurus, Species: Sistrurus miliarius
Conservation
Generally categorized as Least Concern globally, though local populations can face habitat loss and fragmentation.
Physical Description
Small-bodied snake with a patterned dorsum featuring dark blotches or spots along a lighter background, typical of various small pit vipers or juvenile colubrid snakes caught on a glue trap.
Size & Dimensions
The visible specimen is small, approximately 15 to 30 cm long, representing a juvenile or a small adult species.
Habitat
Found in a variety of habitats including flatwoods, sandhills, mixed forests, floodplains, and around marshy areas, typically utilizing ground cover such as palmetto scrub or leaf litter.
Diet & Feeding
Diet generally consists of small amphibians, lizards, mice, and invertebrates, depending on the exact species and age.
Reproduction
Most small pit vipers are viviparous, giving birth to live young in late summer or early autumn with litters ranging from 3 to 15 offspring.
Conservation Status
Generally categorized as Least Concern globally, though local populations can face habitat loss and fragmentation.
Cultural Significance
Plays a role in local ecosystems by helping control small mammal and amphibian populations.
Notable Features
This specimen is captured on a sticky glue trap, which is a common hazard in indoor pest control environments.