Western pygmy rattlesnake

Description:

The ground color of the western pygmy rattlesnake is gray. It has short, wide, mid-dorsal, dark blotches, many of which appear to be rectangular bars, and one or two rows of small, faded blotches on each side. A male may have a lighter ground color than a female. In most individuals, a thin reddish to chestnut mid-dorsal stripe extends through the dorsal blotches. The dorsal scales are keeled. There are nine large scales forming an oval on top of the head between the eyes and nostrils. (information from "A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Oklahoma")

Habitat:

Wooded area

Notes:

These photos are terrible, I know. I was on a Herp Club field trip, and by the time I caught up with the group, this snake wanted nothing more than to escape from the humans. It wouldn't sit still and I snapped a couple of representative shots. For the record, the boots in the first shot are tall rubber boots being worn by an experienced herper. Nobody was ever in a position of danger. :-)