Eastern Massasauga

Sistrurus catenatus

The adult massasauga measures 18-40 inches in length (45.7-101.6cm). On average they reach 27.5 inches (70cm). Adults can weigh between 0.5-1lb (226.8-453.6g). The body is marked with a row of larger black to dark brown hourglass-shaped markings running down the back and three rows of smaller rounded spots on each side. the base scale color is grey to brownish-grey and sometimes all black. A set of dark and lighter bars extends from the eye to the rear of the jaw. Unlike the Timber Rattlesnake, which has numerous small scales on the crown of its head, this rattlesnake has nine large scales on the crown.

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References

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. (1999, December 4). Eastern massasauga. NYS DEC. https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7154.html

Photo References

Blog Spot. (2013). Head and part of body top view on grass facing left [Photograph]. Blog spot. http://snakes- 2013.blogspot.com/2013/01/eastern-massasauga-rattlesnake.html

Crowley, J. (2017). Eastern Massasauga rattelsnake observed in Ontario, Canada [Photograph]. US fish & Wildlife service. https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/reptiles/eama/index.html

Crowley, J. (2017). Massasauga [Photograph]. Ontario nature. https://ontarionature.org/programs/citizen-science/reptile-amphibian- atlas/species/

Detroit Zoo. Massasauga Rattlesnake [Photograph]. Detroit Zoo. https://detroitzoo.org/animals/zoo-animals/eastern-massasauga- rattlesnake/

Redmer, M. (2015). Coiled snake rattle up head facing right [Photograph]. US fish & wildlife service. https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/reptiles/eama/pdf/SSAFinal23July2015EMR.pd f

Waterland life. (2006). Coiled snake rattle on right head on the left facing down [Photograph]. Western Pennsylvania conservancy. https://waterlandlife.org/wildlife-pnhp/species-at-risk-in-pennsylvania/eastern-massasauga-rattlesnake/

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