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Sistrurus-family...
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by Hellemar on December 11, 2001
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Hi...
I have a question about the Sistrurus-complex. Are all rattlers from this complex pigmys or is it just the Sistrurus miliarius sp who are pigmys ?
What about the Sistrurus catenatus sp... Are they pigmys or just "Massasaugas" and if it is so, what is the differens that makes Sistrurus miliaruis sp to pigmy rattlesnakes and the Sistrurus catenatus sp not to be pigmys...
So, what is the defintition of pigmy rattlesnake, is it the length, the namn Sistrurus or is it the name miliarius or is it something else ???
Henke :)
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RE: Sistrurus-family...
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by PIGMAN on December 12, 2001
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I don't know if this will answer your ? but Sistrurus is a latin word meaning rattle tail same as the word Crotalus
They grouped the Massasaugas and pigmies together under sistrurus because both of them have head plates rather than tiny scales covering the head, like the larger crotalus species. The second part of their name I will have to get back to you on. I can't remember the meanings but both are small sized snakes with the pigmies being the smallest. Also massasaugas have a much larger rattle than their cousins the pigmies. Hope this helps.
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RE: Sistrurus-family...
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by Buzztail1 on December 17, 2001
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My references (posted below) list Genus Crotalus as being described by Linneaus in 1758 (Rattlesnakes); Genus Sistrurus as being described by Garman in 1883 (Pigmy Rattlesnakes); Sistrurus miliarius as being described by Linneaus and Sistrurus catenatus as being described by Rafinesque and Sistrurus ravus as being described by Cope (1).
Further, the differentiation between Pigmy Rattlesnakes and "Plain Old" Rattlesnakes is given as the existence of "large plates, usually nine in number..." which cover the top of the head of pigmy rattlesnakes as opposed to "In Crotalus the crown is covered by small scales, usually quite irregularly disposed, particularly from the eyes rearward; although each eye generally has a single large plate (the supraocular) above it." (2)
To be totally fair, "Brattstrom (1964) suggested that the genus Sistrurus was not recognizable, and that the three included species should be placed with the other rattlesnakes in the genus Crotalus." (1) A sentiment echoed by Jerry Walls in 1996. (3)
For what it is worth, all three publications refer to Sistrurus ravus as the Mexican Pigmy Rattlesnake.
(1) Poisonous Snakes of the World A Manual for use by U.S. Amphibious Forces (NAVMED P-5099)(1965 Revision)
(2) Rattlesnakes Their Habits, Life Histories, & Influence on Mankind (Abridged Edition, University of California Press 1982) by Laurence M. Klauber
(3) Rattlesnakes Their Natural History & Care in Captivity (1996 T.F.H. Publications, Inc.)
I hope that this has been helpful to you,
Karl H. Betz
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