USFWS: Photo by Dick Dickinson 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. To some people, conservation of a venomous snake may seem a waste of money, stupid and even negligent. That view is somewhat unique to our culture. Other cultures do not hold such a dark view of snakes. For example, in India, a country where thousands die from snake bite each year, they hold an annual festival to honor the snake because it eats mice and rats that eat their crops. Australian aborigines eat snakes and believe that life on earth began with the rainbow snake. Many Native Americans thought of snakes as sacred and would ask the animal to protect them. The eastern massasauga is a natural part of our environment that has evolved over millennia. Yes, people and animals can be hurt by massasauga, but people and animals can be hurt and killed by many things. We do not eliminate something from our world because it may cause harm or death (dogs, deer, raccoons, bees, spiders, cars, etc).

Instead we recognize the value of these animals or objects and adapt our actions to minimize risk. The same is true for an animal such as the massasauga rattlesnake. However, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service emphasizes that human safety always comes first. If you are threatened by a massasauga you may protect yourself. Why conserve the massasauga The massasauga is an important part of its community because its both predator and prey. It eats mainly small mammals (mice and shrews) and small snakes. It is also food for other predators in its community. Herons, hawks, eagles, and other snakes eat massasaugas. Conserving massasaugas also means conserving the habitat where they live. These habitats are wetlands and adjacent natural habitat in uplands. Conserving these habitats results in conserving the many other wildlife and plants that are found there. Additionally, wetland conservation benefits people because wetlands store flood waters and filter sediments and other pollutants from water that people use. Many plants and animals are directly important to humans now or may become important in the future as sources of food or medicine. By saving species from extinction we ensure that their beneficial uses will be available to us in the future.

For example, rattlesnake venom has been explored for human medicinal use, including treatments for arthritis, MS, and polio. Rattlesnake venom also has anti-coagulant properties that stay localized, unlike coumadin and some other anti-coagulants that are currently used to prevent strokes and heart attacks. How dangerous is the massasauga? The massasauga is a secretive, docile snake that strikes humans only when it feels threatened or cornered. A massasauga will rely on its camouflage coloration to hide or will try to escape rather than strike a person. Many people who visit parks with massasaugas never see these shy creatures and may have walked by one with out noticing it. A bite from a massasauga can be very painful and is potentially life threatening. But, because of the snakes elusive and shy behavior, people rarely are bitten by them. Ontario and Michigan, the province and state with the most massasaugas, report an average of 1 to 2 bites a year. The other states in which massasaugas live each report only a few bites a decade.

A large portion of the bites that do occur are the result of someone intentionally handling or harassing a massasauga or someone stepping on one. The venom of a massasauga is more toxic than that of most other rattlesnakes, but the amount it injects is relatively small compared to those snakes. Venom, typically used by snakes to kill their prey, is expensive for snakes to produce. Therefore, many snake bites contain little or no venom. These venom-less bites, called dry-bites, occur in about 25 percent (and possibly as high as 50 percent) of all rattlesnake bites. As a result of this and the successful use of antivenin treatment, fatalities from an eastern massasauga bite are extremely rare. There are no known fatalities in the last 40 years, although there are several verified fatalities during the first part of this century. In comparison, many more people are injured or die from dog bites or bee stings. How can I avoid being bitten by a massasauga? Despite the infrequent occurrence of massasauga bites, people need to use caution when in rattlesnake habitat, just as they would with any wild animal.

When walking in areas known to have massasauga, wear long pants and sturdy hiking boots and stay on the trails. Be alert, watch the trail in front of you and look around before you sit down or place anything on the ground. Massasaugas often hide under logs and rocks, therefore, do not reach under rocks or logs or step directly over them. Instead, step on them and then over them. The best way to avoid being bitten by a massasauga is to leave them alone. Many snake bites occur because people try to get close to them or try to kill them. If you see a massasauga, do not disturb it. Instead, stop, turn around and walk in the opposite direction. How do I keep massasaugas out of my yard or away from my home? Massasaugas are secretive animals that avoid exposed places. They also generally hibernate in wetlands rather than in places occupied by people. Thus they are not likely to enter your home. However, if you live near wetlands or uplands with natural habitat, a massasauga may find its way to your yard. If you wish to maintain a relatively snake-free yard, there are a few practical steps which can be taken.

The best way to keep snakes from using your yard is to eliminate their food and shelter. Rodents are the primary food source of snakes, so by reducing their numbers near your home, you can also reduce the number of snakes. Removing wood piles and debris and maintaining a well mowed, well kept lawn, will eliminate much of the snakes shelter. Unfortunately, the things you will need to remove from your yard to deter snakes will deter all other wildlife as well. If you enjoy having chipmunks and song birds in your yard, you may want to keep the shrubs, fire wood piles, brush piles, and long grass on the fringes of your yard, away from your home. DNR - Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) DNR Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) Michigan's Only Venomous Snake Non-DNR Links Life History & Michigan History Michigan's only venomous snake is a rare sight for most state residents. Historically, they could be found in a variety of wetlands and nearby upland woods throughout the lower peninsula.

During the late spring, these snakes move from their winter hibernation sites, such as crayfish chimneys and other small mammal burrows in swamps and marshlands, to hunt on the drier upland sites - likely in search of mice and voles, their favorite food. Females give birth to 8 to 20 young in late summer. The young snakes have a single "button" on their tails; a new rattle segment is added at each shedding of the skin, which occurs several times per year. 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. Occasionally, this coloration can be so dark as to appear almost black. The belly is mostly black. It is the only Michigan snake with segmented rattles on the end of its tail and elliptical, ("cat like") vertical pupils in the eyes. The neck is narrow, contrasting with the wide head and body and the head appears triangular in shape. Adult length is 2 to 3 feet. These rattlesnakes avoid confrontation with humans; they are not prone to strike - preferring to leave the area when they are threatened.

Like any animal though, these snakes will protect themselves from anything they see as a potential predator. Their short fangs can easily puncture skin and they do possess a potent venom. It is best to treat them with respect and leave them alone. The few bites that occur to humans often result from attempts to handle or kill the snakes. Any bite from a massasauga should receive prompt professional medical attention. When compared to other rattlesnakes found in the United States, the massasauga is the smallest and has the least toxic venom. Massasaugas are found throughout the Lower Peninsula, but not in the Upper Peninsula (thus there are no venomous snakes on the Upper Peninsula mainland.) They are becoming rare in many parts of their former range, throughout the Great Lakes area, due to wetland habitat loss and persecution by humans. They are listed as a "species of special concern" by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and are protected by state law. Like many snakes, the first human reaction may be to kill the snake. But it is important to remember that all snakes play an important role in the ecosystem. Some may eat insects, others like the massasauga consider rodents a delicacy and help control their population.

Snakes are also a part of a larger food web and can provide food to eagles, herons, and several mammals. We can easily learn to live with these creatures. When you encounter a snake, leave it alone. In most cases, the snake will move to different areas. If pets are in the area, it is important to confine them until the snake moves on. Most often snakes do not wander into areas with little vegetation. The most likely period to encounter snakes in the open is early spring or mornings when they can be found sunning themselves. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently evaluating the Great Lakes population to determine whether it should be listed as a threatened species. In Michigan, it remains an important part of our natural history. Remember, not all snakes are venomous. Additional information is available on Michigan's snakes . Radio Tracking Project (photo by Matt Heumann) Beginning the Spring of 2002, researchers used radio telemetry equipment to follow snakes at Indian Springs Metropark in Oakland County. This project is a cooperative effort between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA) and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Telemetry uses a tiny radio transmitter surgically implanted into a snake. The signal is picked up by special monitoring equipment. There are two primary objectives to the telemetry study. First, we seek clarification of the behavior of massasaugas in areas that include expansive upland open habitats such as old fields and savannahs. Second, we are interested in the behavior of massasaugas in areas of human use and how to manage conflicts between massasauga conservation and human recreation. Up to 15 massasaugas will be implanted with transmitters. They will be monitored for two activity seasons to study their patterns of movement. Data on habitats the snakes are using and when they're using them will be collected. This work will also reveal corridors used and barriers perceived by the snakes. Work at this southern Michigan site will complement efforts conducted in fens in northern Indiana and in coniferous swamps farther north to provide a broader perspective of habitat needs and massasauga behavior across Michigan. In addition to clarifying the basic biology of massasaugas, a component of this project will be to identify opportunities to promoting the conservation of the massasauga. As of early April, seven snakes had been captured for the project.

Snakes will be monitored regularly throughout the spring and summer, then periodically in the fall to establish hibernacula. If necessary, additional snakes will be implanted in spring 2003. All snakes will then be monitored in spring and summer 2003. Their transmitters would then be removed. Snakes added to the study that year would be followed to their hibernacula (wintering quarters) and transmitters removed in spring 2004. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake population has declined throughout its range from western New York and southern Ontario, to Iowa and southward to Missouri. It is either included on lists of endangered and threatened species or watch lists in every state it occurs. The primary causes of its decline are habitat loss and persecution. The USFWS listed the massasauga as a candidate for the federal species list. Since massasauga are more common in Michigan than anywhere else in its range, the Natural Heritage Program has agreed to cooperate in a multi-state planning effort to describe how threats to the species will be minimized. The goal is to assure the long-term protection of massasauga populations and eliminate the need for federal listing.

2002 Survey In order to ensure the long-term survival of Michigan's massasauga, an understanding of the distribution of local populations and critical habitats is necessary. In 2002, Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) conducted surveys in an attempt to gain such an understanding. In winter 2002, Dr. Bruce Kingsbury, professor of biology at Indiana-Purdue University, and graduate student Michelle Standora identified 77 potential core areas for 2002 surveys. These sites, all on publicly-owned lands, were identified based on habitat quality and prior rattlesnake occurrences. MNFI surveyed 40 sites associated with 27 of these core areas in addition to five sites associated with other MNFI projects. A total of 80 rattlesnakes were observed by survey participants. Seven others were observed by outside sources, yielding a total of 87 rattlesnakes from 19 different sites. Of these 19 sites, six were birthing sites consisting of 5 adult females and a total of 28 young-of-the-year. Survey efforts will continue in 2003 with an increased focus on survey gaps and identification of hibernation sites.

MNFI also hopes to supplement surveys on public lands with additional surveys on private lands. Non-DNR Links BioKIDS - Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species, Sistrurus catenatus, Massasauga: INFORMATION Skip directly to main content . Kids' Inquiry of Diverse Species Sistrurus catenatus What do they look like? Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes are members of the pitviper group. This large group of species are members of a larger group, the vipers . Vipers all have enlarged, hollow fangs at the front of their mouth which are used to inject a modified saliva into their prey. This saliva is venomous and causes their prey to die. The gaping of the mouth as they bite causes the fangs to swing forward, jabbing the prey, then muscles in their head inject the venom. Most vipers wait until their prey are dead before eating them. Pitvipers also have sense organs on either side of their head, the 'pits', that detect heat. This is important because pitvipers tend to eat warm-blooded prey and they use their pits to locate them.

Some pitvipers are known as 'rattlesnakes' because they have a series of segments at the end of their tail that are loosely connected and make a hissing rattle sound when vibrated by the snake. New rattle segments are added each time the snake sheds its skin, so by counting the rattles one can estimate how old the snake is. Rattle segments can be lost, though, so if a snake has 8 rattle segments it may well be more than 8 years old. All rattlesnakes also have cat-like pupils which are elliptical and oriented vertically in the eye. ( Harding, 1997 ) Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes are thick-bodied, medium-sized snakes, ranging in length from 47 to 100 cm as adults. This snake is marked with rows of dark, irregular blotches running the length of their back on a background color of gray, gray-brown, or brown. These dark blotches, and dark stripes on the tail, are often outlined in a lighter scale color, making them stand out against the background color. Many are strikingly beautiful. Their coloration makes them very difficult to see in the places where they bask or hide.

Belly color is usually black with light mottling and their heads are triangular in shape. Some individuals are almost completely black. The scales are keeled (with a raised ridge down their center) and males are slightly longer than females. Newborn eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are born at 18 to 25.6 cm in length. They are similar to the adults but overall lighter in color and have only a single 'button' of a rattle. At birth young Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes are capable of using their fangs and venom. ( Harding, 1997 ) These snakes are sometimes confused with eastern timber rattlesnakes , which have tails that are almost completely black. Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes have striped tails. ( Harding, 1997 ) Other Physical Features EEK! - Critter Corner - Eastern Massasauga Eastern Massasauga Federal Status: Under consideration for listing length: 20-32 inches A Trip Through Time How does the name "swamp rattler" grab you as a nick name? You may imagine the massasauga to be a vicious serpent, ready to strike.

The term "rattlesnake" strikes fear in the hearts of most people. This is because of bad stories or rumors about a species that is in reality very shy and secretive. The massasauga is one of the two venomous snakes in Wisconsin, the timber rattlesnake is the other. Believe it or not, before 1975 there was a bounty (a fee paid to people who kill "pest" species) in Wisconsin on rattlesnakes, paying up to 5 dollars a tail. In 1975 the bounty was lifted and the massasauga was placed on the Wisconsin Endangered and Threatened Species List. Some people were afraid that protection of the snake would help them to multiply out of control, but the truth was, their numbers have slowly dropped. Habitat loss is a big problem for these snakes, but the number of snakes killed for bounty might have hurt the populations permanently in some areas of the state. The massasauga were also captured illegally for pets. Today the massasauga is found only in several isolated localities in southeastern, central, and westcentral Wisconsin. They are endangered, and without management and added protection this species could be lost in Wisconsin and throughout its range.

Endangered or threatened throughout most of its range, the massasauga is being considered for federal listing by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. All Snakes Are Not Created Equal The adult massasauga is usually two to three feet in length, while the adult timber rattler is usually longer than three feet. The massasauga has chocolate brown backsaddles and triple rows of brownish-black side patches which merge with a marbled dark gray or black belly. Body patches appear edged in black. The tail has five to seven dark cigarband rings and is tipped by a grayish-yellow rattle. The head is flattened and broad with one white and three dark stripes radiating from its face. Nine enlarged plate scales helmet its head. The timber rattler lacks these large plates and has only small random shaped head scales. Also, check out the tail, the Timber's is solid black just forward of its rattle. Learn more about snakes and how to identify the poisonous ones. The infamous rattles are actually modified scales with a bony core.

Each time the snake sheds its skin a new "button" is added to the rattle, therefore these rattles do not tell the snake's age, but the amount of times the animal has shed its skin. Massasaugas can shed their skin between 3 and 5 times a year, depending on their health and growth rate. The rattles are believed to serve as warning signals to predators. The rattle produces a buzzing sound similar to that of a grasshopper or cricket. Hide and Seek "Massasauga" means "great river mouth" in Chippewa, so named because it is usually found in river bottom forests and nearby fields. Massasaugas like mesic prairies and lowland places, for instance, along rivers, lakes, and marshes. Massasaugas do not hibernate in a group like other snake species. Instead, they look for crayfish or mammal burrows, sawdust piles, or old root canals to hide alone. Crayfish burrows, which are built in river bottom dugouts with above ground mud chimneys, are the favorite hang outs for most massasaugas. Massasaugas hibernate in these burrows at or near water level.

Since the massasauga cannot make its own burrows, it depends on these other animals for survival. Massasaugas get out and about on warm, humid, overcast days and like to sun themselves. Usually they are coiled motionless in vegetation that hides them. They are usually shy, secretive animals which rely on their camoflage coloration to avoid predators. Most people think that all rattlesnakes will rattle before they strike and this is not always true. It might actually be people who listen for the rattle and kill them that have taught snakes to quit using their rattles these days. Where in Wisconsin? Wisconsin is right in the middle of massasauga's range, running from central New York and southern Ontario to Iowa and Missouri. In the past, massasaugas were found across the southern half of Wisconsin. The draining and dredging of many wetland areas has resulted destroyed much of their habitat. Old records show that thousands of massasaugas were killed back in the late 1800s as the city of Milwaukee grew. The bounty, which lasted until 1975, also hurt this species in Wisconsin. Snake Multiplication Breeding happens in the spring and the fall.

Eight to 20 young are usually born in late August. Massasaugas are ovoviviparous, which means that the young are born live rather than from an external egg. They have an egg tooth that doesn't work, which means that they may have evolved from egg layers. The newborn snakes are about the thickness of a lead pencil and could wrap around a silver dollar. They are typically born under a log, wood pile, or in abandoned mammal burrows. They stay inside the "nest" for about 4 or 5 days while they shed their skin the first of many times. They "molt" to replace the skin they are born with because the old skin has been stretched and aged from rapid growth of the developing young. The new skin will allow protection and growth until it becomes too stretched and worn. Massasaugas mature in 2-3 years and can live up to 14 years. Food Fight The massasauga is a "pit viper." They were given this name because of the heat sensitive pits they have under each eye which alert the snake to prey or intruders.

Massasaugas are preyed upon by raccoons, hogs, skunks, foxes, hawks, and eagles. They also eat cold-blooded prey, such as frogs and other snakes, but they are usually hungry for warm-blooded prey like mice and voles. Rattlesnakes attack their prey by striking. They strike to inject toxic venom into the blood stream. A three foot snake can strike about 12 inches or about one-third of its body size. The fangs of a massasauga are hollow and the venom is secreted into them by glands. Rattlesnakes can control the injection of venom and sometimes don't use it when they bite because of self defense, possibly saving it only for prey. When they are not in use, the fangs rotate and fold backward against the roof of its mouth. Massasaugas have the control to move each fang separately as they desire. Rattlesnake Bites Since 1900, no one in the state of Wisconsin has died from a massasauga bite.

Drop for drop, the massasaugas venom is more toxic than the timber rattler, but because of the smaller volume of venom, a bite would probably not cause severe harm to an adult human. Very few large domestic animals have ever been killed by rattlesnake bites and hogs are usually unharmed because of their layers of fat. Hogs are an efficient predator of rattlesnakes and have decreased snake numbers ever since hogs were brought to Wiscosnin. The best thing to remember is that if you dont bother the massasauga it generally wont bother you. By wearing hiking boots and staying on the trail you can greatly reduce your chance of being bitten. If you are bitten, by knowing first aid and staying calm you can lessen the effects of the bite. Many home remedies for rattlesnake bites have been used in the past, most of them based on folklore. Some of these included: salt and onions; a mixture of gunpowder, salt and egg yolk; black mud and tobacco; ammonia; and many different mixtures including whiskey! What can you do You can report any sightings of the massasauga or other endangered or threatened species to the Bureau of Endangered Resources.

Unfortunately, as a species becomes more and more scarce, poaching and illegal capturing become more and more of a problem. Please report any violations of wildlife laws toll free to the Wisconsin Emergency Hotline at 1-800-847-9367. . Why Ontario's only venomous snake is more scared of us | Toronto Star GTA Why Ontario's only venomous snake is more scared of us Although one person has already been bitten this summer by the Massasauga rattlesnake, experts say the timid snake poses little threat. The Massasauga rattlesnake, which grows up to a metre long, is the only venomous snake native to Ontario. (ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES) By Joel Eastwood Toronto Star Fri., June 27, 2014 Rattlesnake bite season has begun in Ontario — but wildlife experts are reminding cottagers that the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake has far more reason to fear humans than we do it. The grey, dapple-skinned snakes, which grow up to a metre long, are the only venomous snake native to the province.

Once common throughout southern and central Ontario, the threatened species is now found on the eastern side of Georgian Bay, the Bruce Peninsula, and in small pockets near Windsor and Wainfleet, Ont. in the Niagara area. “Generally, all snakes are persecuted, and the Massassauga especially so because people had over-exaggerated fears of the consequences of snakebites in the province,” said Bob Johnson, the Toronto Zoo’s curator of amphibians and reptiles. Last summer, 16 people were bitten by the Massasauga rattlesnake. That’s an unusually high number, according to Lorraine van Koughnett, chair of the Ontario Massasauga Rattlesnake Antivenom Depot . Article Continued Below The Parry Sound facility co-ordinates the distribution of antivenom to nine hospitals and health centres in areas where the rattlesnake is found. A bite victim showing symptoms of venom is treated with about $9,000 worth of antivenom, which is manufactured in Mexico and imported from the U.S. The Massasauga rattlesnake only injects its venom about 75 per cent of the time when it strikes.

Although one person has been bitten so far this summer, Van Koughnett emphasizes that the timid reptile is not a threat. “This snake is not aggressive,” she said. “It would prefer to remain hidden. They won’t strike unless they feel threatened.” Nobody has been killed by a Massasauga rattlesnake bite since the early 1960s, Johnson said. There have only been two deaths in the history of the province, he said, both young children. For comparison, every year lightning strikes kill about 10 people and injure more than 100 in Canada, according to Environment Canada . To avoid being bitten by the Massasauga rattlesnake, experts recommend wearing closed-toed footwear and using a flashlight at dusk, when the snake is coiled waiting for tasty rodents to cross its path. Do not touch or pick up the snake, one of the most common causes of bites. As a protected species, attempting to catch or harm a Massasauga rattlesnake can result in fines or imprisonment. If you are bitten, you will feel pain and swelling, and the venom inhibits blood clotting. You should clean the wound and calmly seek medical attention.

“We’re more worried about people’s irrational response to a snake bite,” Johnson said. “With hospital treatment you’ll make a full recovery.” “You’re not going to spontaneously die,” Van Koughnett added. Don’t apply ice or a tourniquet to the wound, Van Koughnett said, as slowing blood circulation will restrict the venom to a smaller area and increase the risk of tissue damage. “If you’re walking through the forest, you can easily walk right by them and never know they’re there,” said Ron Black, a biologist with Wildlife Preservation Canada. Black is currently studying if the snakes can find a new hibernation site when their original one is destroyed. For his research, Black captures the snakes, and works with veterinarians at the Toronto Zoo to have a 7-gram transmitter surgically attached to their ribs and a 20 cm-long antennae inserted along the length of their body. This allows him to remotely track the reclusive animals. “For the most part, I think attitudes are changing toward Massasauga Rattlesnakes in particular,” Black said.

“People are recognizing they’re an important part of our ecosystem.” Massasauga Rattler: Dangerous Creatures - AskMen AskMen Messages You have no messages Notifications You have no notifications Top 10: Most Dangerous Creatures In Canada Share Shares 8. Massasauga Rattler The Massasauga Rattler is Canada’s only poisonous snake. It can be found in Ontario as well as in parts of the United States. The Massasauga Rattler can be identified by its colouring — large black or brown spots on a tan or grey body — and, of course, by its distinctive rattle. The Massasauga Rattler typically feeds on small mammals, injecting them full of venom so that they can be easily eaten and digested. However, the snake will also bite humans if it is surprised or feels threatened. While bites are treatable, at least two Canadians have died after being bitten by the Massasauga Rattler, making it one of the top 10 most dangerous creatures in Canada. USFWS: Eastern Massasauga Fact Sheet Photo courtesy of Joe Crowley; Ontario Nature The eastern massasauga rattlesnake has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Threatened species are animals and plants that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. Identifying, protecting, and restoring endangered and threatened species is the primary objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species program. What is an eastern massasauga rattlesnake? Appearance: Massasaugas are small snakes with thick bodies, heart-shaped heads and vertical pupils. The average length of an adult is about 2 feet. Adult massasaugas are gray or light brown with large, light-edged chocolate brown blotches on the back and smaller blotches on the sides. Young snakes have the same markings, but are more vividly colored. Other snakes that look similar include the fox snake, milk snake and hognose snake. Habitat: Massasaugas live in wet areas including wet prairies, marshes and low areas along rivers and lakes. In many areas massasaugas also use adjacent uplands during part of the year. They often hibernate in crayfish burrows but may also be found under logs and tree roots or in small mammal burrows. Unlike other rattlesnakes, massasaugas hibernate alone. Reproduction: Like all rattlesnakes, massasaugas bear live young.

Depending on their health, adult females may bear young every year or every other year. When food is especially scarce they may only have young every three years. Most massasaugas mate in late summer, and give birth about a year later. Litter size varies from 5 to 20 young. Feeding Habits: Massasaugas eat small rodents such as mice and voles but they sometimes eat frogs and other snakes. They hunt by sitting and waiting. Heat sensitive pits near the snakes’ eyes alert the snake to the presence of prey. They can find their prey by sight, by feeling vibrations, by sensing heat given off by their prey, and by detecting chemicals given off by the animal (like odors). Range: Eastern massasaugas live in an area that extends from central New York and southern Ontario to southcentral Illinois and eastern Iowa. Historically, the snake’s range covered this same area, but within this large area the number of populations and numbers of snakes within populations have steadily shrunk. Generally, only small, isolated populations remain. The eastern massasauga is listed as endangered, threatened, or a species of concern in every state and province where it is found. Why has the eastern massasauga been listed as a threatened species?

Eradication: People seem to have an innate fear of snakes and fear of venomous snakes is particularly strong. Massasaugas are often killed when they show up near homes or businesses, and people may go out of their way to kill or even eliminate them. Indeed, many states had bounties on all rattlesnakes, including massasaugas. Habitat loss: Massasaugas depend on wetlands for food and shelter and often use nearby upland areas during part of the year. Draining wetlands for farms, roads, homes, and urban expansion has eliminated much of the massasauga habitat. Also, massasaugas are not long distance travelers, so roads, towns, and farm fields prevent them from moving between the wetland and upland habitats they need. These same barriers also separate and isolate remaining populations from each other. Small, isolated populations often continue on a downward spiral until the massasauga is lost from those areas. Management: Lack of management and improper timing of management are threats to massasaugas. The snake’s habitat needs vegetation control such as prescribed fire and mowing to prevent invasion of shrubs, trees and non-native plants. Woody plant invasion is reducing the amount of available habitat in some areas.

Where land is managed to prevent woody invasion, snakes may be killed by prescribed fire and mowing when it happens after snakes emerge from hibernation. What is being done to conserve the eastern massasauga? Research: Researchers are studying the eastern massasauga to learn about its life history, about how it uses its habitat, and how we can manage for it and its habitat. Habitat Management: Many remaining populations of massasaugas are on public land and privately owned natural areas. Some land management practices on those properties harm massasaugas. The Service is working with willing land managers to practice techniques that allow traditional management goals to continue but avoid harming the massasauga and its habitat. Education: Although many people have an innate fear of massasaugas, it is actually a secretive, docile snake that strikes humans only when it feels threatened and cornered. Living, working, or recreating in massasauga areas does require caution, but the massasauga is also an important and beautiful part of the natural heritage of those areas. We hope that education about the docile nature of the snake, its habits, and its role in the ecosystem will help people feel more comfortable living with this rare creature.

Why do we want to conserve the eastern massasauga? Ecosystem Role: The massasauga plays an important role in its ecosystems, both as a predator on small mammals, other snakes, and amphibians and as prey for hawks, owls, cranes, and some mammals. Indicator Species: The fact that massasaugas are in serious decline is a warning bell telling us that something is wrong. The story of the massasauga is similar to the story of many plants and animals that need wetlands or a combination of wetlands and uplands to survive. When we drain wetlands and develop in natural areas, we push our wild plants and animals onto ever smaller isolated islands of habitat where it is difficult for them to survive. By conserving massasaugas, we conserve natural systems that support many species of plants and animals. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Did you know? Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes are known by many names, Some people call them, Massasauga Rattlers, Black Massasauga Rattlers, Michigan Rattlers, Swamp Rattlers and many other names.

The word Massasauga (mass-a-saw'-ga) is said to mean ï¿½great river mouthï¿½ in the Chippewa language describing the swampland surrounding a river delta where the snakes can be found. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes are known by their scientific name as Sistrurus Catenatus. Equipped with heat sensing pit-organs, venom and a rattle, they are Michigan 's only poisonous snake. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes are pit vipers, being equipped with heat-sensing pit organs between the eye and nostril on either side of their heads. These pits lead to a pair of extremely sensitive infrared organs that serve as a set of primitive eyes that can operate even when the snakes eyes and ears cannot. We have much to learn about this evolutionary technology. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes have a pair of long hollow fangs that they can inject venom into their prey. When the fangs are not in use they fold against the roof of the mouth enclosed in a membranous sheath. During a strike an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake will eject the fangs at the last possible moment, each fang can be engaged simultaneously or independently.

The strike is very fast and can work as more of a stab in a defensive strike. The venom of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake uses specialized digestive enzymes that disrupt the cardiovascular system. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake venom is generally regarded as less dangerous to humans because they inject less venom than larger rattlers. However, all venomous snakebites should be considered dangerous and medical attention sought. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes use their very fast strike to incapacitate small animals like mice so they can consume the animal without having to fight it to the death. One bite the animal dies the snake moves in to swallow it's prey whole. The venom also has some digestive properties that help the snake digest it's victim. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes in Michigan Status: Special Concern, it is protected by the State of Michigan and is a candidate for federal listing. Range: Entire Lower Peninsula of Michigan,. Although once common, populations may be declining due to loss of wetland habitats and human harassment. Habitat: During spring, Massasaugas use open shallow wetlands or shrub swamps.

They can be found in crayfish towers or small animal burrows which are adjacent to drier upland open shrub forest sites. During summer, Massasaugas move upland to drier areas. Look for them "sunning" in open fields, grassy meadows or farmed sites. Behavior: Sluggish, slow moving snake. It may strike if threatened. Benefits: Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes eat small mammals, amphibians and insects. The Massasaugas are eaten by eagles, herons and some mammals. Description: Massasaugas have thick bodies with colors that range from gray, grayish brown or brown. Its back has large dark brown blotches with smaller lighter brown patches on its sides. Young Massasaugas are similarly marked with brighter coloration. This snake has a wide triangular head and eyes with slit shaped pupils. Adults can be 18" to 30" in length. Young Massasaugas have small yellow buttons or "rattles" at the tip of their tail. Adult "rattles" are grayish yellow, like pieces of corn kernels, on top of dark rings. Snakes may bite to protect themselves. What do I do if I see a Massasauga?

Keep your distance and observe it from a distance. Do not kill the snake. Use caution. Remember it deserves a safe living space. Do not pick it up. Keep all pets away. If you live or recreate in areas that are historic habitats of the massasauga, study their habits. Learn what to do if you or a pet is bitten. If a pet, notify your veterinarian and immediately take pet to a veterinarian for treatment. You are bitten, contact 911 or contact your medical care provider or emergency room for further direction.

Question: What type of dangerous creature is a massasauga?
Answer: Snake