Is this a juvenile timber canbrake rattler?

[davidp]

I went to pick up a friend's timber rattler, minus one head, and found this in the road. Please identify. It might be good for reference.

[Scott0048]

That's a Pygmy rattler.

[Yeager1]

Yep, that's a pygmy rattlesnake. To be exact it's a western pygmy. Do you want to sell it?

[davidp]

  SOLD

[Yeager1]

 

[kparks_hunter]

If you find another and would like to sell it let me know.
         
           Kyle

[davidp]

That was a very rare find for my area. It was on my hunting club's property. I will constantly be on the lookout. I have not heard of any Pygmy westerns in this part of central MS.

[kparks_hunter]

ok no problem

[RTPBearcat]

My first hunch had been a Pygmy Rattler too, but it was far too light in color.  Then again, I'm in south FL (they are very dark around here), and have never seen a Western Pygmy, or heard of one.

[Yeager1]

RTPBearcat, You are correct with your description of pygmies in FL, they are darker because they are a different species. There are three different species of pygmy rattlesnakes in the southeastern U.S. The Dusky pygmy which ranges in all of Florida and extreme southern AL and GA. The Carolina pygmy which ranges in most all of SC, southern NC and in central GA into east central AL. Then you have the Western pygmy which ranges from western AL through Most all of MS, AR, and LA and into eastern OK and TX. Then you have the "spin", all three of these species come together in Alabama as their ranges overlap. Also the Dusky and Carolina ranges overlap in GA