Where do massasauga snakes live?

Where do massasauga snakes live?

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.

Are there pygmy rattlesnakes in Missouri?

Western Pygmy Rattlesnake (Sistrurus miliarius streckeri) Western Pygmy Rattlesnakes will eat any small creature, including other small snakes. They are found in semi-shaded hillsides along the southern border of Missouri, and in the Ozarks and St.

What’s the rarest snake in Missouri?

Plains Hog-nosed Snake
Plains Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon nasicus nasicus) They grown between 16 and 25 inches and are very rare in Missouri. They live in loose, sandy soil in prairies and feed on toads, snakes, lizard eggs, and small rodents. They use their upturned snouts to dig for their prey.

How poisonous is a Massasauga snake?

The venom of a massasauga is more toxic than that of most other rattlesnakes, but the amount it injects is relatively small compared to those snakes. These venom-less bites, called dry-bites, occur in about 25 percent (and possibly as high as 50 percent) of all rattlesnake bites.

Is it illegal to kill a rattlesnake in Missouri?

Snakes in Missouri are protected by state law. The Wildlife Code of Missouri treats snakes, lizards and most turtles as nongame. Being nongame means there is no open season on these animals, and it is technically illegal to kill them.

Do water moccasins live in Missouri?

The Western Cottonmouth, which one of 3 subspecies of the Water Moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus), is one of only 5 venomous snakes found in the state of Missouri. They are found in Southern and Southeastern Missouri, and near the Ozark region of the state.

Is it legal to kill a snake in Missouri?

Where can I find the eastern massasauga rattlesnake?

The eastern massasauga is a small venomous rattlesnake found in the northeastern United States. 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.

When does a massasauga snake strike a person?

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. Many people who visit parks with massasaugas never see these shy creatures and may have walked by one with out noticing it.

Why did the massasauga snake disappear from Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, the species has experienced a rapid decline largely because of habitat loss. Historically, this has been due to human activity and more recently primarily from natural forest succession. By 1988, the snake had disappeared from half of the counties that constituted its historical range.

Which is more poisonous a massasauga or a rattlesnake?

The venom of a massasauga is more toxic than that of most other rattlesnakes, but the amount it injects is relatively small compared to those snakes. Venom, typically used by snakes to kill their prey, is expensive for snakes to produce.

The eastern massasauga is a small venomous rattlesnake found in the northeastern United States. 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.

Is it necessary to conserve the eastern massasauga snake?

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. To some people, conservation of a venomous snake may seem a waste of money, stupid and even negligent. That view is somewhat unique to our culture.

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. Many people who visit parks with massasaugas never see these shy creatures and may have walked by one with out noticing it.

Are there any snakes that look like a massasauga?

Young snakes have the same markings, but are more vividly colored. Other snakes that look similar include the fox snake, milk snake and hognose snake. 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.

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.

Can the massasauga snake kill you?

Unfortunately, people frequently kill rattlesnakes on sight, out of fear. Only two people, however, have ever died in Ontario from a massasauga bite, both more than 40 years ago. Loss and fragmentation of Massasauga habitat in southwestern Ontario continue to threaten this species throughout its current range.

Is it against the law to kill a snake in Missouri?

Do Massasauga Rattlers Swim?

Although all rattle snakes can swim, the eastern massasauga rattlesnake is sometimes known as the swamp rattler and spends more time in aquatic environments than its relatives. These snakes are often seen by roadsides, but are very hard to spot in swamps.

What does a Massasauga snake look like?

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.

What do you do if a massasauga rattlesnake bites you?

Call emergency services (911) and get to a hospital as quickly and safely as possible. DO NOT apply ice or a tourniquet. DO NOT cut or apply suction to the bite area.

Do baby massasauga rattlesnakes have venom?

It is the only venomous snake species in Ontario, and although its venom is potent, this is a small snake with small fangs and a limited amount of venom. Snake bites are rare; approximately 2-3 per year and with treatment, a full recovery is highly probable. If you see or hear a rattlesnake, simply leave it alone!

Are massasauga snakes endangered?

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Threatened species are animals and plants that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.

Is a water moccasin poison?

Topic Overview. 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.