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Description
Came across this unmistakable fellow on my property. Good thing it felt comfortable where it was because I walked right by it before I noticed it was there. Once I saw it, I backed up a safe distance and used my zoom lens for the pictures. This is Florida's smallest species of rattlesnake, reaching around 2-3 feet in length at the max. It's small, but not to be messed with. For its size, its venom is quite potent. A bite from one is rarely fatal to adult humans. Still, it can mess up your day, causing excruciating pain and other complications even with treatment. According to Wikipedia, antivenom isn't very effective for their bites due to the uniqueness of their venom (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistruru… ). I lost a dog to this species long ago. I didn't want it to happen again, especially with Ruger tagging along. So unfortunately, this snake met its end. If it were anywhere except on my property, I would have let it go. But I suppose the good news is this particular kind is not endangered or protected, unlike the other rattlesnakes we have. But wow have there been a ton of snakes in my yard lately. Just earlier this week, I caught and released a rat snake that got closed in on the porch...Not before it bit me, of course. I'm not dumb enough to try catching a venomous snake, however (and I know what each of Florida's 6 venomous snakes look like).

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (AKA Florida Ground Rattlesnake, Southeastern Ground Rattlesnake, Barbour's Pygmy Rattlesnake, and Small Rattlesnake [Sistrurus miliarius barbouri])
Photo: .

Description
Came across this unmistakable fellow on my property. Good thing it felt comfortable where it was because I walked right by it before I noticed it was there. Once I saw it, I backed up a safe distance and used my zoom lens for the pictures. This is Florida's smallest species of rattlesnake, reaching around 2-3 feet in length at the max. It's small, but not to be messed with. For its size, its venom is quite potent. A bite from one is rarely fatal to adult humans. Still, it can mess up your day, causing excruciating pain and other complications even with treatment. According to Wikipedia, antivenom isn't very effective for their bites due to the uniqueness of their venom (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistruru… ). I lost a dog to this species long ago. I didn't want it to happen again, especially with Ruger tagging along. So unfortunately, this snake met its end. If it were anywhere except on my property, I would have let it go. But I suppose the good news is this particular kind is not endangered or protected, unlike the other rattlesnakes we have. But wow have there been a ton of snakes in my yard lately. Just earlier this week, I caught and released a rat snake that got closed in on the porch...Not before it bit me, of course. I'm not dumb enough to try catching a venomous snake, however (and I know what each of Florida's 6 venomous snakes look like).

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake (AKA Florida Ground Rattlesnake, Southeastern Ground Rattlesnake, Barbour's Pygmy Rattlesnake, and Small Rattlesnake [Sistrurus miliarius barbouri])
Photo: .