Defensive Behavior of Free-Ranging Pygmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius)
XAVIER GLAUDAS, TERENCE M. FARRELL, AND PETER G. MAY
Sistrurus miliarius frequently bites humans in the southeastern
United States. We used a large population of S. miliarius in
central Florida to investigate the importance of several factors on the
defensive behavior of this species. Upon detection of a snake, we tapped
the snout of the snake with a gloved hand. We recorded whether the snake
struck or fled. Our large sample size (N = 336) allowed us to make strong
conclusions regarding the defensive behavior of this rattlesnake species.
Overall, only 27 snakes (8%) bit the glove indicating that this species
is rather nonaggressive. Initial posture was the only factor that influenced
striking behavior; uncoiled snakes struck significantly more than coiled
snakes. Fleeing behavior was affected by three variables: sex; whether
the snake was about to shed; and initial posture. Females fled more often
than males, as did snakes about to shed. Initial posture is the only factor
that affected both response variables, and uncoiled individuals were more
likely to flee than coiled snakes.
SREL Reprint #2816
Glaudas, X., T. M. Farrell and P. G. May. 2005. Defensive behavior of free-ranging pygmy rattlesnakes. Copeia 1:196-200.
