Unfortunately, people frequently kill rattlesnakes on sight, out of fear. When threatened, it rattles or retreats under nearby cover. What's particularly odd is that he's out in the open, on the grass. To some people, conservation of a venomous snake may seem a waste of money, stupid and even negligent. Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is a State Endangered Species and a Federally Threatened Species. Only two people, however, have ever died in Ontario from a massasauga bite, both more than 40 years ago. After two biologists (both initially convinced he was a rattler) spent three man-hours poring over the photos, we are now reasonably sure that he's a milk snake. For further information, please see the site policies page. Premium Drupal Theme by Adaptivethemes.com. Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically. Additional detail about legal protection for species at risk in Ontario is available on our Legal Protection page. Another distinguishing feature of rattlesnakes and pit vipers in general is a large, triangular head that tapers quickly into a neck that is narrower than the rest of the body. The massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is a rattlesnake species found in midwestern North America from southern Ontario to northern Mexico and parts of the United States in between. Loss and fragmentation of Massasauga habitat in southwestern Ontario continue to threaten this species throughout its current range. Massasauga rattlesnake is a species of venomous snake occurring in the midwestern North America. At birth, the young are 16 to 24 centimetres in length. The eastern foxsnake, eastern hog-nosed snake, eastern milksnake and northern watersnake superficially resemble the Massasauga. Like all rattlesnakes, it is a pit viper. Even experienced observers who search for the Massasauga as part of a test find a very small percentage of those in a search area; most hikers would walk right by a Massasauga, unaware of its presence. The eastern massasauga is a small venomous rattlesnake found in the northeastern United States. Required fields are marked *. View an interactive map of the known ranges of Massasauga rattlesnakes in Ontario. Although young rattlers are more slender than adults, they still have thick bodies that taper at both ends, and the triangular head is evident. In Ojibwa, the word “Massasauga” means “great river mouth.” The Massasauga is a habitat generalist and can be found in forests, meadows, shoreline habitats, wetlands, rock barrens, grasslands and old fields. Other names: massasauga, massasauga rattlesnake. A rather unusual place for a snake that normally prefers cool … Found in our backyard today.... possibly a Massasauga rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus, but far enough from their normal range that he may be just an oddly coloured milk snake Lampropeltis triangulum. A brood consists of two to 19 young but generally averages about six to 10. 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. When threatened, it rattles or retreats under nearby cover. The rattle can break off, however, so the absence of a rattle does not indicate that a snake is not a Massasauga. Obviously, the odds of being endangered by one of these snakes are negligible. This snake is a very docile one. Females may require three or more years to mature. Other snakes that look similar include the fox snake, milk snake and hognose snake. | It is brownish with saddle- or butterfly-shaped darker brown blotches on the back that alternate with smaller blotches on the sides. The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. The belly is black with scattered light markings. Learn more about reptile and amphibian conservation and what you can do to help these species on our Reptile and Amphibian Stewardship page. The species requires very specific microhabitat features within these habitats for mating, hunting and especially thermoregulation. Three subspecies are currently recognized including the nominate subspecies described here. The habitat of this species is further protected in Ontario by the Provincial Policy Statement under the Planning Act. Your email address will not be published. Young snakes have the same markings, but are more vividly colored. The scales are keeled (ridged down the centre), which gives the snake a rough appearance). Published on January 7th 2017 by staff under Snakes. And he's just a little guy. A rather unusual place for a snake that normally prefers cool rocks and the forest floor. The Massasauga is a pygmy rattlesnake; most adults are only 60 to 75 centimetres long. "Sun basking accelerates the development of the embryos in the female massasauga rattlesnake". The species has also been designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Like all pit vipers, a female Massasauga rattlesnake is oviparous and maintains a gestation period of three and a half months. Nothing on this site constitutes legal or engineering advice. The Massasauga rattlesnake Great Lakes-St.Lawrence population is currently listed as Threatened and the Massasauga rattlesnake’s Carolinan population is listed as Endangered under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 and Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act. Like all rattlesnakes, it is a pit viper, and like all pit vipers, it is venomous. Massasaugas generally are associated with water, are rarely found more than 50 kilometres from the Great Lakes, and often inhabit wetlands near rivers. Massasaugas breed in the spring, and females give birth to live young in late summer. Found in our backyard today.... possibly a Massasauga rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus, but far enough from their normal range that he may be just an oddly coloured milk snake Lampropeltis triangulum. The milksnake has smooth scales, and those of the foxsnake are only weakly keeled. The eastern foxsnake and eastern milksnake vibrate their tails when threatened, mimicking the Massasauga. What's particularly odd is that he's out in the open, on the grass. Submitted by Matthew on 2014, May 17 - 08:07. Submitted by Matthew on 2014, May 16 - 20:44. Copyright © 2010-2013 Matthew B. Marsh. Ontario (Canada), western New York, southeastern Arizona (United States), northern Mexico. Like all rattlesnakes, the Massasuaga is a pit viper and can see thermal images of its environment using two heat-sensitive pits between its eyes and nostrils. These pits are discernible on baby rattlers as well as adults.