Can anyone ID this Snake?

ZanottiZanotti Registered Users Posts: 1,411 Major grins
edited July 1, 2007 in Wildlife
He was about 18" long and not shy. Tampa, FL area:

168178209-L.jpg

Debate here is juvenile black racer or some type of rattler. He kept shaking his yellowish tail and made a vibrating sound. I did not see any rattle button on the tail, but he sure made the motion.

Z
It is the purpose of life that each of us strives to become actually what he is potentially. We should be obsessed with stretching towards that goal through the world we inhabit.

Comments

  • cmasoncmason Registered Users Posts: 2,506 Major grins
    edited June 30, 2007
    pygmy rattlesnake...be careful
    This small snake has a reputation for being very aggressive. Its bite, while usually not life threatening, is extremely painful and can result in the loss of a digit. Some cases can be fatal. It feeds primarily on frogs and mice.

    http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/pygmratt.htm
  • ZanottiZanotti Registered Users Posts: 1,411 Major grins
    edited June 30, 2007
    We may have a winner!
    Head crop:

    168192043-L.jpg

    Tail crop:

    168192065-L.jpg


    Although the juvenile black racers make the same motions and sounds, the look here of the rattle and the redish brown splotches between, make the ID of a Dusky Pygmy rattler probable.

    I think I'll let my wife weed this flowerbed in the future!
    It is the purpose of life that each of us strives to become actually what he is potentially. We should be obsessed with stretching towards that goal through the world we inhabit.
  • GraphyFotozGraphyFotoz Registered Users Posts: 2,267 Major grins
    edited June 30, 2007
    Definitely looks like the critter! thumb.gif

    I'd love to get a nice shot of a Rattler but......with my 80-400mm at a distance! :D
    A snake can strike at a distance of half to 3/4 of it's body length.

    Shame on you......sending the Wife out.......how is Her life insurance? eek7.gif :giggle
    Canon 60D | Nikon Cooloix P7700
    Manfrotto Mono | Bag- LowePro Slingshot 100AW

    http://www.graphyfotoz.smugmug.com/
  • ZanottiZanotti Registered Users Posts: 1,411 Major grins
    edited June 30, 2007
    Never got a particularly good head shot:

    168195617-L.jpg

    Always that dreaded stick in the way. And I wasnt about to reach in and push it aside!

    168195636-L.jpg
    It is the purpose of life that each of us strives to become actually what he is potentially. We should be obsessed with stretching towards that goal through the world we inhabit.
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited July 1, 2007
    :yikes

    That's one critter I have no desire to shoot iwth a camera.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Sign In or Register to comment.