Massasaunga is a venomous pitviper species found primarily in the United States. Its color pattern consists of a grey or tan groundcolor with a row of large rounded brown/black blotches or spots down the centre of the back and three smaller rows of alternating spots down each side. Solid black melanistic examples are also known, as well as cases where the back blotches join with those on the sides.
Ten Facts about Massasauga
- Adults are not large, ranging from 45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 inches) in length.
- Massasauga, black massasauga, black rattler, black snapper, gray rattlesnake are its common name.
- The name massasauga means "great river-mouth" in the Chippewa language and was probably given to describe its habitat in Chippewa country: swampland surrounding river deltas.
- Found in North America from southwestern Ontario (Canada) and western New York State southwest to southeastern Arizona (USA) and northern Tamaulipas (Mexico).
- The diet consists of a variety of small vertebrates, including mammals, lizards and snakes, as well as invertebrates such as centipedes.
- The venom of rattlesnakes contains specialized digestive enzymes that disrupt blood flow and prevent blood clotting.
- Massasaugas do not mate for life, they are polygamous. (They choose a new mate each year).
- Snakes, birds, Red foxes, humans are their enimies.
- Young massasauga are well-patterned but paler than the adults.
- Life is 12-14 years.
