Eastern Massasauga

Scientific Name: Sistrurus catenatus catenatus
Size: 18-40 inches (45-100 cm) in length
PA Status: Endangered Species

Habitat Type:
Swamps, marshes, bogs, peat lands, wet meadows, prairie lands, low lying poorly drained soil, dry open fields with lots of vegetation. The habitat will vary with seasons. Spring and fall they can be found in the wetter habitats, and summer they may be found in dry habitats.

Colorations:
Adults:

  • The dorsal background is grey to greyish brown.
  • The dorsal has rows of large irregular shaped middorsal blotches in conjunction with three rows of small round spots on both sides of the body. (some individuals may be striped)
  • The blotches are dark brown to black with a black border and a white outline.
  • The tail has alternating dark and light bands that is ringed rather than blotched.
  • The ventral is dark grey to black and may be mottles with grey to black botches.
  • The head has two dark light bordered stripes on each side that extend from the eye to the neck and a middorsal stripe extending posteriorly on the back of the head. The top of the head has varying dark blotches.

Juveniles:

  • Similar to adults

Characteristics:

  • Medium-sized, stout-bodied species.
  • The head is large, flat and triangular in shape.
  • The head is distinct and set off from the body by a narrow neck.
  • Pupils are vertically elliptical.
  • Deep set pits between the eyes and nostrils.
  • The dorsal scales are strongly keeled.

Scale Counts:

  • 21-27 scale rows at midbody.
  • 23 scale rows at anterior.
  • 17-19 scale rows at posterior.
  • 139-160 ventral scales
  • 19-36 subcaudals scales | Single row of subcaudals
  • Higher than wide rostral scale
  • 2 internasal scales
  • 2 prefrontal scales
  • 1 large frontal scale
  • 2 supraocular
  • 2 pariental scales
  • 2 nasal scales
  • 1 loreal scale
  • 1-2 subocular scales
  • 3-4 postocular scales
  • 11-12 supralabials
  • 11-13 infralabials
  • Anal plate is undivided

Confused with:

  • Timber Rattlesnake

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Eastern Massasauga - By:Wayne Fidler Eastern Massasauga - By:Wayne Fidler Eastern Massasauga - By:Wayne Fidler
Eastern Massasauga - By:Tom Diez Eastern Massasauga - By:Tom Diez Eastern Massasauga - By:Tom Diez

Range Map:
Massasauga Range Map

References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 356-359pp.
  • Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 551-557pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Wayne Fidler
  • Tom Diez