One of the less known parts of DuPuis is the Powerline Grade along the eastern perimeter. A one way trip is 13 miles long and can be traveled on foot, bike, horse, or car. As the name implies, the shellrock road parallels high tension power lines running south from the FPL Indiantown plant. The southern half of the road runs between a canal (with many resident alligators) and the adjacent Corbett WMA. You may also see otters, deer, birds and various Florida fauna. Bringing your camera is recommended. Happy caching!
The pygmy rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius) is a venomous pit viper species found in the southeastern United States. It is so named because it is much smaller than most other rattlesnakes, rarely growing more than 2 ft in length. They have a series of large dark spots on their back.
In terms of diet and habitat, pygmies are similiar to their larger cousins. One main difference is rattling. Pygmy rattlesnakes do have rattles, but they are so small as to be rarely heard and easily mistaken for a buzzing insect. They are also more aggressive than larger rattlesnakes and strike more frequently, but fortunately their venom is not as strong. Bites are still very serious, but unlikely to be fatal to adults.