Carolina Pigmy Rattlesnakes

By Rudy Mancke

Published October 17, 2017 at 5:21 AM EDT

Sistrurus miliaris miliaris, the Carolina pigmy rattlesnake.

Hiking in Mistletoe State Park a family finds two Carolina pigmy rattlesnakes, the most distinctly patterned, and variably colored subspecie of the pygmy rattlesnake group.

The snake ranges from eastern North Carolina, southwestward through most of South Carolina, across central Georgia and Alabama, and into a small portion of east central Mississippi.

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Rudy Mancke

Rudy Mancke served as naturalist and co-host of South Carolina ETV's <i>NatureScene</i>, which began its long run in 1978. His field trips, broadcast nationwide, earned him a legion of dedicated viewers. Rudy's knowledge of the complex inner-workings of different ecosystems and his great admiration for the natural world make him the perfect guide. In fact, the National Wildlife Federation and the Garden Club of America honored his commitment to resource conservation with special awards. After retiring from SCETV, Rudy went on to become naturalist-in-residence at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. He hosted SC Public Radio's <i>NatureNotes</i> from 1999 until his death in 2023 at age 78.

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