The massasauga sistrurus catenatus is a stoutbodied, relatively small rattlesnake that feeds primarily on small mammals. With its western extreme in southeastern arizona, the massasauga is found through many of the midwestern states and is present as far east as portions of new york and adjacent canada. The eastern massasauga, a rare sight for most michigan residents, has been declining due to fragmentation and loss of wetland habitat. Guidelines for identifying important massasauga rattlesnake habitat are. The massasauga sistrurus catenatus is a rattlesnake species found in midwestern north.
The desert massasauga, sistrurus catenatus edwardsii, inhabits xeric grasslands from western texas to southeastern arizona and occurs in. Species action plan pennsylvania fish and boat commission. For official map representation of provincial parks, visit ontarios crown land use policy atlas. You may imagine the massasauga to be a vicious serpent, ready to strike. Massasauga rattlesnake conservation nrcs pennsylvania. Nrcs activities to benefit massasauga rattlesnakes focus on the protection of existing wetlands, restoration of drained or manipulated wetlands, and enhancing the wildlife habitat of nearby areas.
The massasauga backcountry campsite campsite 611 latitude. Massasauga in ontario 0 10 20 40 60 80 kilometres queens printer for ontario, 2012 communities roads as recorded by the ontario natural heritage information centre as of february 29, 2012 species occurrence this map should not be relied on as a complete and accurate representation for locations of species at risk, routes or locations. It uses venom injected through long, hollow, retractable fangs to kill and begin digesting its prey. A small up to 550 mm or 22 in total length excluding rattle light silvergray to graybrown rattlesnake. As of april 25, 2020, provincial parks and conservation reserves are closed to the public for all recreational activities until may 31, 2020. Population viability assessment for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake sistrurus catenatus catenatus on the bruce peninsula, ontario, canada article pdf available. The general appearance of the eastern massasauga can vary, with some individuals having brown blotches on a gray background and others being almost completely black in color. There are many fossils that have been found and they all dated back to 160 million years. Eastern massasauga rattlesnake sistrurus catenatus catenatus. For the massasauga rattlesnake, we considered critical habitat for the northern part of the species range as polygons with a 1. Welcome to the massasauga provincial park ontario parks. The massasauga can remain undetected with the help of its pattern, even at close range. The massasauga is ontarios only extant venomous snake. Hibbitts, gary voelker institute of renewable natural resources.
This morning, ron pittaway and i were thrilled to see this robust massasauga rattlesnake near the shoreline of georgian bay in muskoka. The massasauga is a stoutbodied rattlesnake, usually about 50 to 70 centimetres long. Below that row there are two additional rows of crispedged, dark. General coloration is light gray to dark gray, with rows of dark to light brown blotches down the middle of the back and along both sides. The eyes have vertical, catlike pupils and the head is shaped like a spade, though it is not as wide as the heads of other rattlesnakes in iowa.
The massasauga provincial park from mapcarta, the free map. It is a small to mediumsized snake, with adult lengths averaging 2 to 3 feet. Massasauga,sistrurus catenatus species at risk public registry. A resource and field guide for living with rattlesnakes in ontario. The federal species at risk act, and the provincial endangered species act have designated the eastern massasauga rattlesnake as a threatened species. It is michigans only venomous snake, and one of only two rattlesnake species that occur in the great lakes region.
The massasauga provincial park is a park in ontario and has an elevation of 184 meters. Cryptic patterns and coloration serve to break up the shape of the massasauga snake to better disguise it in vegetation, rocks, leaves, and shadows. For official map representation of provincial parks, visit ontario s crown land use policy atlas. Eastern massasauga sistrurus catenatus species guidance. The massasauga may be totally black but is more commonly gray or tan with rows. Check out our new list of printable resources and activity suggestions. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake stewardship guide. This image shows what groups the massasauga falls into, but if you read on, youll learn about why its in those groups. 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. Some snake species are often misidentified as rattlesnakes and are killed by humans out of fear.
The only venomous snake in ontario, the massasauga rattlesnake resides mainly in the eastern georgian bay area and the bruce peninsula. Massasauga, coluber and other snakes beautiful and deadly. Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are gray or grayishbrown with dark bands or blotches down the back. The massasauga is listed as threatened under both ontarios endangered species act, 2007, and the. Eastern massasaugas are becoming increasingly rare in north america and are now endangered. Snakes of ontario identifier introduction eastern massasauga. The massasauga rattlesnake, another coldblooded member of the pit viper family, is one of the rare, venomous species found in ontario. Why ontarios only venomous snake is more scared of us.
Scientists round up eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in. In 2011, results from a genetic analysis of the subspecies within. It is assessed as threatened by the committee on the status of endangered wildlife in canada cosewic due to a historical population decline, continued habitat fragmentation and loss, and human persecution, and is listed as threatened on schedule 1 of the species at risk. The massasauga is one of the two venomous snakes in wisconsin, the timber rattlesnake is the other.
The prairie massasauga is a mediumsized, dark rattlesnake with a short, thick body. Despite being a venomous species, they are quite timid. The massasauga provincial park map ontario mapcarta. Throughout their range, massasaugas are associated with a wide variety of habitats including bedrock, peat forests, wetlands and prairie grasslands. Like all rattlesnakes, it is a pit viper, and like all pit vipers, it is venomous. Sistrurus catenatus catenatus rafinesque eastern massasauga. Massasauga means great river mouth, which describes the snakes habitat. The name massasauga comes from the language of the chippewa tribe of native americans. This rattlesnake is capable of delivering potent venom. It is ontario s only venomous snake, though it will only bite in selfdefence if it is threatened or harassed. Attendees also learn to identify the rattlesnake and other snake species that are similar in appearance. Scientists round up eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in illinois.
It is grey, tan or light brown with dark brown, bowtie shaped blotches on its back and is often confused with other banded or blotched ontario snakes. According to an estimate, the total number of classes of venomous snakes it about 600 in total and the fatal encounters take thousands of lives each year. Massasaugas are primarily diurnal ambush predators that wait motionless for unsuspecting prey, but some active foraging may. The massasauga is listed as threatened species by the us fish and wildlife service under the endangered species act. They arent a very rattling rattlesnake, said joanne earnhardt, a population biologist at lincoln park zoo who chairs the. This name provides recognition to one of its key natural inhabitants, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and also borrows from the first nation heritage. Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii that make up the rest of the massasaugas range.
There are three recognized subspecies of this species. Pdf population viability assessment for the eastern massasauga. Drought monitor, established in 1999, is a weekly map of. Massasauga sistrurus catenatus catenatus wildlife home. The western massasauga pronounced massasawga rattlesnake gets its name from the chippewa language.
This designation legally protects the massasauga from being harassed, captured, killed, bought, or sold. Jun 27, 2014 although one person has already been bitten this summer by the massasauga rattlesnake, experts say the timid snake poses little threat. The massasauga has elliptical pupils and a pair of heatsensitive pits between the eyes and nostrils. In first nations traditions, the massasauga rattlesnake is the medicine keeper of the land a reminder to tread lightly and to take only what we need.
The massasauga rattlesnake is the provinces only poisonous snake and. They arent a very rattling rattlesnake, said joanne earnhardt, a population biologist at. Rattlesnake bites, while extremely rare in michigan, can and do occur. Please submit your application as a single pdf or ms word file attachment and include in the email subject heading massasauga field assistant.
The eastern massasauga rattlesnake sistrurus catenatus catenatus is a unique and fascinating part of michigans natural heritage. Massasauga rattlesnake georgian bay biosphere reserve. The term rattlesnake strikes fear in the hearts of most people. Lawrence population pdf read the report carolinian population pdf what it looks like. Page 1 genetics of desert massasauga in texas genetic determination of the desert massasauga distribution in texas a report to texas parks and wildlife department for the wildlife conservation grants program wade a. Derived from the chippewa language, massasauga translates to great rivermouth and probably. We humans or homo sapiens dont talk good about the serpents or reptiles sure as snakes. Presently their populations tend to be fragmented, and the species is considered in trouble in many areas across its range. Although one person has already been bitten this summer by the massasauga rattlesnake, experts say the timid snake poses little threat.
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in canada. Sep 30, 20 educational video of the massasauga rattlesnake sistrurus catenatus and its conservation in ontario, canada. Species action plan eastern massasauga natural diversity section june 2011 page 2 pennsylvania specimens examined by reinert 1978 was a male measuring 70. It is the only venomous snake species in ontario, and although its venom is. The massasauga rattlesnake is the only venomous snake still found in. New york, ohio, ontario, pennsylvania, and wisconsin figure 1. Massasauga rattlesnake conservation in ontario canadas. To some people, conservation of a venomous snake may seem a waste of money, stupid and even negligent. Thus, range of eastern massasauga hereafter refer to as massasauga includes illinois, indiana, iowa, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, ohio, ontario, pennsylvania, and wisconsin figure 1.
Species status assessment for the eastern massasauga. Massasauga in ontario sudbury north bay little current. Ontario ministry of natural resources parry sound nature club. Massasaugas are primarily diurnal ambush predators that wait motionless for unsuspecting prey, but some active foraging may occur ernst and ernst 2003. Application deadline is midnight april 23, 2018, however applications will be assessed as they are submitted. Severe coagulopathy after a massasauga rattlesnake bite cmaj. Thank you for your interest in the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and this education package. Video living with wildlife the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. View an interactive map of the known ranges of massasauga rattlesnakes in ontario. Why ontarios only venomous snake is more scared of us the star. Map of the proposed metapopulation structure of eastern massasauga rattlesnakes across the northern portions. Eastern massasauga rattlesnake united states fish and. Massasauga rattlesnake range map in orange goals and objectives for massasauga rattlesnakes. It is ontarios only venomous snake, though it will only bite in selfdefence if it is threatened or harassed.
Massasauga, sistrurus catenatus, small north american rattlesnake of the family viperidae, found in prairies, swamps, and woodlands from the great lakes to arizona. Blotches on the back become bands near the tail, which is tipped by a small rattle. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake us fish and wildlife service. The park encompasses hundreds of islands on the coast of georgian bay and many inland lakes including clear lake and spider lake. Eastern massasauga species guidance 2 puber7 last updated may 7, 2019 catenatus tergeminus, and the desert massasauga. Map showing the geographic distribution of each subspecies of sistrurus and the. Educational video of the massasauga rattlesnake sistrurus catenatus and its conservation in ontario, canada. Park features on this map are representative only and may not accurately depict regulated park boundaries.
The geographical range of sisturus catenatus is a patchy and which stretches across the united states and canada. The eastern massasauga is a small venomous rattlesnake found in the northeastern united states. Eastern massasauga rattlesnake sistrurus catenatus. The massasauga rattlesnake, sistrurus catenatus, is a diminutive species with a distribution in the united states which largely tracks the retreat of pleistocene glaciation and the spread of grasslands. The magnitude of decline varies across stateprovincial lines, with 33 percent of michigans to. 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. Massasauga sistrurus catenatus reptiles of arizona. The massasauga sistrurus catenatus is listed as two distinct populations on the saro. Eastern massasauga rattlesnake michigan natural features. Predicted road mortality was set as the observed postmitigation mortality n5 and the potential number of massasauga road mortalities had mitigation not been. Massasauga rattlesnake general habitat description. Massasauga rattlesnake general habitat description ontario.
The slithering creatures which we know as snakes are one of the oldest species of the world. Three subspecies are currently recognized including the nominate subspecies described here. A row of faded, softedged blotches lines each side. The massasauga rattler consists of three subspecies. Large, oval, crispedged, dark brown blotches line the back.
Genetic determination of the desert massasauga distribution in texas. The massasauga rattlesnake was listed as threatened when the endangered species act. In the ojibway language, massasauga means mouth of river, an appropriate. The massasauga eats lizards, centipedes, mice, and other small mammals. 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. The striking dark greybrown stripes, that contrast beautifully against a light skin tone, make this venomous snake one of the most exotic reptiles to come across. As ontarios only remaining venomous reptile, the massasauga rattlesnake has faced widespread persecution, despite the fact that it poses little threat to public safety. Click the image to view the classification from the class level on down to the subspecies level. The heat sensitive pits between the eyes and the nostrils are unique to pit vipers. Workshop, attendants meet the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the fox snake, the milk snake, the largest snake in ontario. Pdf population viability assessment for the eastern. The 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 plan reflects this ministrys intent to protect natural and. Massasauga rattlesnake sistrurus catenatus about animals. This graphic shows some of the closer relatives of the massasauga rattlesnake and its subspecies. This morning, ron pittaway and i were thrilled to see this robust massasauga rattlesnake near the shoreline of. Guidelines for identifying significant habitat, and significant wildlife habitat, for the massasauga in eastern georgian bay and bruce peninsula populations, ontario. May 04, 2009 scientists round up eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in illinois. Lawrence population is currently listed as threatened and the massasauga rattlesnakes carolinan population is listed as endangered under the ontario endangered species act, 2007 and threatened under the federal species at risk act. Massasauga rattlesnake is a species of venomous snake occurring in the midwestern north america. Why ontario s only venomous snake is more scared of us. The official name for the park is now the massasauga provincial park.
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