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.

Are Massasauga rattlesnakes aggressive?

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.

Is it illegal to kill a massasauga rattlesnake?

It's legal to kill snakes, but you must have a hunting license. But keep in mind they do have some federally protected species here like the Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake.

What do you do if a massasauga rattlesnake bites you?

One quarter of all rattlesnake bites are 'dry' bites. Stay calm and reduce movement. Remove jewelry on the affected limb. Call emergency services (911) and get to a hospital as quickly and safely as possible.

What is the most poisonous snake in Michigan?

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes, the only venomous snake in Michigan, are shy creatures that will avoid humans whenever possible. Also known as "swamp rattlers," they spend the vast majority of their time in year-round wetlands hunting their primary prey, mice.

Herping for Massasauga Rattlesnakes in Michigan!

15 related questions found

Are Massasauga rattlesnakes protected?

1. What action is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service taking? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is protecting the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act.

Where are Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes found?

The eastern massasauga is a small, thick-bodied rattlesnake that lives in shallow wetlands and adjacent uplands in portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ontario.

Do Canadian hospitals have antivenom?

Antivenom available at eight locations across Ontario - My Parry Sound Now.

Do all Massasauga rattlesnakes have rattles?

All Massasaugas are stout-bodied snakes with triangular-shaped heads. And of course, they all have a rattle on the end of their tail! The rattle is actually a series of interlocking scale segments, which make a buzzing noise when the tail is vibrated.

What animal eats snakes in Ontario?

In addition to natural predators like fishers and red shouldered hawks, these snakes are often killed on our roads, and their natural habitats are disappearing.

Should you kill a rattlesnake in your yard?

If you encounter a venomous snake in your yard, take it seriously. The snake should be removed to ensure that no one, including pets, gets hurt. Note: This does not mean the snake has to be killed. ... Moving snakes into unfamiliar territory may compromise their chances to survive.

Where can I find a massasauga rattlesnake?

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.

Can a timber rattlesnake kill you?

Like other vipers, the timber rattlesnake is venomous with venom potent enough to kill a human. A timber rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency. ... Timber rattlesnakes have a wide distribution across the eastern half of the United States.

Do Massasauga rattlesnakes have live babies?

Massasauga rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs externally. The baby snakes stay at their birthplace for the next four to five days to grow and shed their skin for the first time; after that, they are on their own, the mother snake doesn't protect her young.

Are water moccasins poisonous?

The cottonmouth, also called a water moccasin, is a poisonous (venomous) snake found in southeastern and south central North America. They leave one, two, or three puncture marks on the skin, but you won't always see any marks.

Are Ontario milk snakes poisonous?

The Eastern Milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum) is a non-venomous constrictor in the family Colubridae. In Canada, the Eastern Milksnake ranges throughout southern Ontario as far north as Sault Ste. Marie and Lake Nipissing.

Are there poisonous snakes in Canada?

Snakes: Canada is home to two venomous vipers: the Massasauga rattlesnake in southern Ontario and the western or Prairie rattlesnake in southern B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. ... There are only three known deaths from rattlesnake bites in Canada in the last several decades.

Do baby rattlesnakes have a rattler?

Baby rattlesnakes are born with a single rattle segment. That's cute, but it won't make a sound until its second shed skin, several weeks after it is born. It may try and rattle anyway, but you won't hear it.

Are Illinois water snakes poisonous?

Only one species of watersnake, the cottonmouth, is venomous. In Illinois, it is found no farther north than Carbondale, in the southern part of the state. Both nonvenomous and venomous snakes benefit homeowners and gardeners by eating invertebrates and rodents.

Are Ontario rattlesnakes poisonous?

The Massasauga is a stout-bodied rattlesnake, usually about 50 to 70 centimetres long. It is Ontario's only venomous snake, though it will only bite in self-defence if it is threatened or harassed.

Can you purchase rattlesnake antivenom?

There's only one commercially available antivenin for "treating venomous snakebites in the United States - CroFeb, manufactured by U.K.-based BTG plc," according to The Washington Post. ... So for a single, smaller rattlesnake bite that would need four vials of antivenin, the cost is $9,200.

Are there rattlesnakes in Parry Sound?

For more information on how to prevent and treat rattlesnake bites –Snake Saftey Tips. Guidelines for identifying important Massasauga Rattlesnake habitat are available at Parry Sound OMECP.

What is the range of the water moccasin?

Range and Habitat: Cottonmouths range throughout the Southeast, north to southeastern Virginia. In our region cottonmouths are generally restricted to the Coastal Plain but are found in a few Piedmont locations west of Atlanta, Georgia.

Are Michigan water moccasins poisonous?

The cottonmouth, also called a water moccasin, is a poisonous (venomous) snake found in southeastern and south central North America. They leave one, two, or three puncture marks on the skin, but you won't always see any marks.

How many rattlesnakes are in Canada?

Three species of rattlesnake are found in Canada: the Western rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganous), the prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridus) and the massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus).