Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake, a species I could live without

Dusky Pigmy Rattlesnake, a species I could live without.

(Sistrurus miliarius barbouri)
I spotted my English setter on the opposite side of the pond Thursday morning and he was wagging is tail, apparently spotting something fun in the grass. Then I saw it as it jumped in the air toward the dog....a pigmy rattlesnake. The dog, of course, was trying to get back at it, stalking around it carefully, but the snake kept his head lifted and tongue wagging. I quickly took a picture from a safe distance. I was able to distract the dog and tossed my hat over toward the snake so I could walk around, grab the dog with his small bleeding wound and get him to the vet.

Pigmy rattlers aren't very big...although this was the largest I have ever seen (my Irish setter has been bitten twice, and one gave birth under my house, so I've seen plenty), but they can be a tad on the agressive side. This one was obviously well fed (I've been wondering where all the frogs are this spring). I didn't have time to capture him, but will be on the lookout...$235 vet bills are something I could do without. Learn more: http://venomoussnakesfl.com/pygmy.htm