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:

Variable and often found in association with pine trees

Notes:

After all these years in Oklahoma, this was my first pygmy! I also believe it was a gravid female. :-)