Eastern massasauga
Venomous · Sistrurus catenatus
Medically significantNeeds medical care
Listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Bites are rare and need medical care.
- Lives in
- 8 states
- Size
- 18–30 in
- Open US records
- 1,121
- Group
- Snake
How to identify it
- Gray or brown with large dark blotches down the back
- Small rattle
- Nine large plates on top of the head
- Stout body
Size: 18–30 in (total length). Habitat: Wet prairie, fens and marsh edges around the Great Lakes.
Also called massasauga, swamp rattler.
Where it lives
- Lives here
- Rare records
- Gone
- Not here
When it is out
State by state
| State | Status | Open records | Counties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | Lives here | 352 | 45 |
| Illinois | Lives here | 313 | 8 |
| Ohio | Lives here | 161 | 20 |
| Wisconsin | Lives here | 87 | 7 |
| Indiana | Lives here | 82 | 17 |
| Pennsylvania | Lives here | 81 | 5 |
| New York | Lives here | 24 | 3 |
| Iowa | Lives here | 16 | 8 |
| Minnesota | Gone | 1 | 0 |
| Louisiana | Not here | 2 | 1 |
| Alaska | Not here | 1 | 0 |
| Georgia | Not here | 1 | 1 |
States not listed have no open records and are outside the range.
Questions
Where does the eastern massasauga live?
In 8 states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Is the eastern massasauga dangerous?
Medically significant. Listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Bites are rare and need medical care.
How do you identify a eastern massasauga?
Gray or brown with large dark blotches down the back. Small rattle. Nine large plates on top of the head.
When is the eastern massasauga most active?
Most open US records fall in May to August.