These are two Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnakes (sistrurus miliarius), recently caught in Georgia (No, I didn't catch them, I just took their picture). In this photo, they are nearly actual size, and in the "original" photo, they would be somewhat larger than life-sized. I had considered that they should be named Fluffy and Rosebud, but that would have been just plain wrong, so I settled for Nippy and Snappy, instead ;-)

The one on the left (Nippy) is a full sized adult, the smaller one (Snappy) on the right is about half grown. The rattles, which are hidden from view, are very tiny, and they produce a weak buzz, which sounds like a small insect. I could just barly hear them from jost a foot away.

This is the closest that I have ever been to a live rattlesnake, or even a pair of them, for that matter. (To take the photo, I was only about about a foot above them,.

They may be small, but they can make up for it with a lot of "attitude" and can be fast strikers when provoked or feeding, but these two were very calm and relaxed during their "photo opp" .

Their venom isn't extremely strong, and the amount delivered in a bite is fairly small, so a bite would be very painful, but would not normally be sufficient to be fatal to a healthy person. Nevertheless, medical attention should be sought, immediately after any envenomation. Better safe than sorry.

These snakes are for experienced reptile experts only, don't take any unnecessarry chances, and just leave them be, if you should ever find one.

These two are reportedly males, but I wasn't about to get close enough to give them a TSA-style "medical" examination, in order to determine that. factor ..

More vital stats and technical info on these snakes can be found here:

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/projects/herpcons/herps_of_NC/snakes/Sismil/Sis_mil.html