Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

Reptiles & Amphibians47 to 100 cmIn the app

A venomous pit viper, the massasauga is a species of rattlesnake that averages 24-30 inches in length. Its head is smaller and more narrow than other rattlesnakes, and it…

How to identify

A venomous pit viper, the massasauga is a species of rattlesnake that averages 24-30 inches in length. Its head is smaller and more narrow than other rattlesnakes, and it has 2 obvious heat-sensing pits on the front of its snout. Its pattern consists of dark spots or rounded, smooth-edged blotches on a light background. The row of spots down the center of the back are darker and larger, while the three rows of alternating spots on each side are duller and less defined. These spots merge into bands on the snake's tail. It has a thin white diagonal line between each eye and corner of the mouth, with a thick dark band on each side of the line.

Range

Found primarily in the states surrounding the Great Lakes, as well as southeastern Ontario, and slightly across the Mississippi River in eastern Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri.

Habitat

This snake prefers wet habitats, such as marshes, swamps, wet prairies, or grasslands surrounding rivers and lakes. It will often hibernate in crayfish burrows, or hide under ground debris.

Variations

It can be shades of brown or grey to black. Solid black (melanistic) individuals are sometimes observed. Their spots are sometimes connected to form irregular bands.

Similar species

Most similar to the western massasauga (*Sistrurus tergeminus*), but could also be confused with the prairie rattlesnake (*Crotalus viridis*) or the non-venomous northern watersnake (*Nerodia sipedon*).