Sistrurus miliarius

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Sistrurus miliarius

Common Name. Pygmy Rattlesnake

General information. All rattlesnakes are venomous, and therefore potentially dangerous if approached or handled. Rattlesnakes are not generally aggressive and will most likely flee if given a chance to retreat. Because it is such a small snake, prey includes various insects and arthropods, as well as small mice and lizards. Sistrurus miliarius is nocturnal, feeding and moving almost entirely at night, spending the days under logs, rocks, or within piles of leaves. In certain parts of their range, such as areas in Florida, S. miliarius can be the most common snake species found.

Protected status. The Pygmy Rattlesnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Undivided anal scale. Dorsal scales extremely keeled, in rows of 21 near midbody Short tail with a tiny rattle

Coloration. Body has a light grey dorsal background Rust-colored vertebral stripe that contrasts strongly with the background, however, the vertebral stripe may be absent in some individuals Series of small, dark, irregular vertebral blotches that run the length of the body; blotches are often wider than they are long, and consequently they form a series of crossbands as opposed to blotches Also may be one to two rows of dark spots arranged laterally Belly is frequently mottled.

General distribution. There are three subspecies of Sistrurus miliarius, which range from Texas, Oklahoma, and Missouri eastward to the Carolinas and Florida. In Texas, only one of these subspecies, S. miliarius streckeri, the Western Pygmy Rattlesnake, is present.

Texas distribution. Sistrurus miliarius is present in the woodlands and pines found only in the extreme eastern portions of the state.

Habitat. The woodlands of east Texas make up the habitat of S. miliarius, with standing or running water being frequently found nearby.

Reproduction. Sistrurus miliarius are viviparous, giving birth to live young in August and September. The neonates are very small when born, typically measuring between 13-18 cm (5-7 in) in length.

Size. Adults measure between 38-51 cm (15-20 in); record length is 64 cm (25 in).

Map. Orange counties indicate new county records since previous Herps of Texas update in 1998; all other colored counties reflect known distribution prior to 1998 for species and/or subspecies. Map is based on museum voucher specimens.

Sistrurus tergeminus

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific name. Sistrurus tergeminus

Common Name. Western Massasauga

General information. Rattlesnakes are not generally aggressive and will likely flee if given a chance. They are of course venomous, and should be treated with great respect. Able to eat a wide variety of vertebrate prey, S. catenatus takes advantage of locally available food items such as mice, birds, lizards, toads, and even other snakes. Generally nocturnal animals, massasaugas can often be seen above ground following spring and summer rain storms.

Protected status. The Western Massasauga is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.

Diagnostic features. Undivided anal scale Keeled scales in 25 dorsal scale rows in most Texas populations

Coloration. Body has grey or tan dorsal background color Brown vertebral blotches that run the length of the body contrast sharply with the background color Vertebral blotches are closely spaced together and do not flatten into bands on the tail, as seen in Crotalus scutulatus and C. viridis An additional three rows of brown spots found laterally along the length of the body, however, the third or ventralmost series can be difficult to distinguish from the background Prominent chocolate colored stripe that runs through the eye and above the corner of the mouth; this dark ocular stripe has a thin, bright white line below it.

General distribution. The geographical range of Sisturus tergeminus is a patchy and which stretches across the United States and Canada. With its western extreme in southeastern Arizona, the massasauga is found through many of the midwestern states and is present as far east as portions of New York and adjacent Canada. Small, peripheral populations can also be found in northern Mexico.

Texas distribution. Sistrurus tergeminus is present in northern portions of the Trans-Pecos and the Permian Basin region, through the remaining vestiges of prairie along the Gulf Coast, central Texas, and the eastern Panhandle and into south Texas.

Habitat. The habitat of S. t. tergeminus ranges from flat grasslands to low rocky hillsides, whereas S. t. edwardsii is restricted to the low, flat grasslands.

Reproduction. Breeding occurs in the spring, with an average of eight live young born during the summer months of July and August. The neonates measure between 18-23 cm (7-9 in), and often have a pinkish belly.

Size. Large adults up to 66 cm (26 in); record length for S. t. tergeminus is more than 88 cm (34 in), whereas record length for S. t. edwardsii is only 54 cm (21 in).

Pygmy Rattlesnakes and Massasaugas | Herps of Texas

Sistrurus miliarius

Sistrurus tergeminus