Massasauga

The Massasauga is classified as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category.

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The massasauga can be characterized as a shy, sluggish snake. Its thick body is colored with a pattern of dark brown slightly rectangular patches set against a light gray-to-brown background. More

The massasauga is one of the two poisonous snakes in Wisconsin, the timber rattlesnake is the other. More

The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is a small, thick-bodied rattlesnake. Adults are typically 20 to 25 inches long. Its back is usually light grey to light brown, with one row of large dark brown spots running down the center, and rows of small spots to either side. More

The massasauga rattlesnake is the smallest of the three venomous snakes found in New York State, the other two being the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) and the copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix). More

The Massasauga rattlesnake is the smallest of the four kinds of rattlesnakes that have been recorded for Canada. It rarely exceeds 75 cm (29 in.) in length, although longer ones have been recorded. More

* Working in Massasauga Habitat Video is available at the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve web site * Ontario Provincial Massasauga Anti-venom Depot You can aid recovery efforts by reporting a massasauga sighting to the Natural More

The Eastern massasauga is one of two rattlesnakes that are native to Ohio. The name “massasauga” comes from the language of the Chippewa tribe of Native Americans. More

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake is a Federal candidate species. Candidate species are those species for which the Service has sufficient information on their biological status and threats to propose them as endangered or threatnened. More

General description: The massasauga is a medium-sized brown or gray snake. It has darker, often white-ringed, blotches on its back and sides. It also has a ring and rattles on the end of its tail. More

The eastern massasauga is a small venomous rattlesnake found in the northeastern United States. Populations of this snake have declined so much that it is now necessary to work to conserve it or it could go extinct in the future. More

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) is a unique and fascinating part of Michigan's natural heritage. It is Michigan's only venomous snake, and one of only two rattlesnake species that occur in the Great Lakes region. More

but massasaugas usually have small, dark rattles that are not always distinctive. Massasaugas will rattle with their tails off the ground (though not as high as other rattlesnake species). More

Massasauga Provincial Park is a provincial park in Parry Sound District, Ontario, Canada, stretching from the town of Parry Sound south to the Moon River. The park has an area of 131.05 km². More

Like all pitvipers, Massasauga rattlesnakes have heat-sensitive pits located on each side of the head, between the nostril and eye. These special sensors enable the snakes to hone in on endothermic prey ("warm-blooded" animals that produce heat, like mice and small birds). More

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Michigan’s only venomous snake, is a rare sight for most state residents. In fact, according to Yu Man Lee, associate zoologist for the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan may well be the last U.S. stronghold for this species. More

Range (see map below left): The Massasauga has a strange distribution occuring in a diagonal band from western Ontario southward to Illinois and Iowa and further south to Texas, New Mexico, and southeastern Arizona. Habitat: The habitat choice of this species is diverse. More

the massasauga consists of dark brown blotches on the back and three rows of alternating blotches on the side over a grey background. The belly is black with small white to yellow markings. More

link to Massasauga videoAVI Video clip of snake yawning (254 Kb). This behaviour is commonly seen after a snake has a meal. More

eastern massasauga have more reason to fear us than we have to fear them. Human development resulting in farms, roads, and homes has d rained this species’ wetland habitat so much that the snake has been eliminated in most of its territory. More

massasaugamassasauga - pygmy rattlesnake found in moist areas from the Great Lakes to Mexico; feeds on mice and small amphibiansmassasauga rattler, Sistrurus catenatusrattler, rattlesnake - pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shakengenus Sistrurus, Sistrurus - More

eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) Photo of a juvenile taken in Essex County eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) Photo of an adult male taken in Essex County Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) Photo taken in Essex County Photo taken in Essex County More

The massasauga may be totally black but is more commonly gray or tan with rows of black or brown spots on its back and sides. It is a venomous snake, usually secretive and unaggressive, that can deliver a painful but rarely fatal bite. More

The name Massasauga comes from the Chippewa language which means, "great river mouth." This name is fitting since the Massasauga's primary habitat is floodplain of rivers and streams. These snakes are generally shy and secretive, which makes them a very rare sight. More

EASTERN MASSASAUGA OBSERVATION REPORT This information is voluntary under Part 365, Endangered Species Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Act 451 of the Public Acts of 1994. More

The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is Michigan's ONLY venomous snake. Look for the Massasauga only in the Lower Peninsula for there are no records of this snake from the Upper Peninsula. More

Even if you have never seen a massasauga rattlesnake you will have a vague image of it by the use of its nickname, swamp rattler. More

Common names

massasauga in English - English
massasauga rattlesnake in English - English
Massasauga, Ketten-Klapperschlange in German - Deutsch
Massassauga in German - Deutsch
Víbora-cascabel pigmea-norteña in Spanish - español