Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)

Personal Information
The massasauga rattlesnake is 2- to 3-feet in length, with brown body patches edged in black and a grayish-yellow rattle. “Massasauga” means “great river mouth” in Native American Chippewa. There are three massasauga rattlesnakes at the Seneca Park Zoo. The massasauga rattlesnakes are currently off exhibit.

Status in the Wild
The massasauga rattlesnake is endangered in its range due to bounty hunting, the illegal pet trade and draining and dredging of wetlands. Without management and added protection, this species could be lost in a great portion of its range. The Seneca Park Zoo takes part in the Species Survival Plan for the massasauga rattlesnake.

Habitat
Massasauga rattlesnakes live in lowland areas, such as wetlands along rivers, lakes and marshes in Wisconsin through Central New York and Missouri.

Diet
Rodents, frogs and snakes make up most of the massasauga rattlesnake’s diet.

A massasauga rattlesnake is venomous, but a bite from such a snake would most likely not be fatal.
Massasauga’s are ovoviviparous, meaning that they give birth to live young.
The favorite hibernation spot for a massasauga rattlesnake is a burrow built in river bottom dugouts.
Massasauga’s rely on their coloration to avoid being detected.
The size of the rattle on a massasauga rattlesnake represents the number of times it has molted, which can occur 3 to 5 times a year.