The species extends north to eastern North Carolina and west to eastern Texas and southern Missouri. This snake is common in lowland pine flatwoods, prairies, around lakes and ponds, and along the borders of many freshwater marshes and cypress swamps. Possibly the habitat in which Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnakes are most frequently encountered, at least in south Florida, is the banks of canals running through marshes and prairies. This small snake has a reputation for being very aggressive. Its bite, while usually not life threatening, is extremely painful and can result in the loss of a digit.
Some cases can be fatal.
It feeds primarily on frogs and mice. The rattle is so small it is seldom heard. When it is heard, it sounds like an insect buzzing. If this does not scare the threat away, the hognose snakes will turn onto their backs and play dead. Florida s two hognose snakes occasionally are confused with the Pygmy Rattlesnake.