Maximum Size and Longevity in Pygmy Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus miliarius): The Importance of Field Data

Jenna N. Palmisano^1,*, Jasmine H. Kesselring¹, Tara Morgan¹, Peter G. May², and Terence M. Farrell²

¹Department of Biology, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816. ²Department of Biology, Stetson University, DeLand, FL 32723. *Corresponding author.

Southeastern Naturalist, Volume 23, Issue 4 (2024): N82–N84

First published early online: 4 December 2024

Abstract
Information on snake size and longevity often relies on captive individuals, potentially skewing perceptions of these metrics compared to wild counterparts. In this note, we address this disparity by presenting field data on Sistrurus miliarius (Pygmy Rattlesnake) from long-term studies in Central Florida and more recent statewide surveys. The largest individual we found had a snout–vent length of 65.7 cm, total length of 74.9 cm, and mass of 174 g, which is far smaller than captive snakes. Longevity assessments based on recapture intervals indicate maximum ages are significantly lower than those observed in captivity. These findings underscore the importance of using field-derived data to accurately portray the size and lifespan of wild snakes, distinct from captive environments where growth and survival conditions differ markedly.

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