Taxonomy and Phylogeny
Domain: Eukarya Because the massasauga’s cells have a true nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, and multiply by
mitosis.
Kingdom: Animalia This snake is considered an animal because it is multi-cellular, heterotrophic, motile in at least 1
Life Span and Life Cycle
stage of its lifecycle, and doesn’t have cell walls around its cells.
Phylum: Chordata It is considered a Chordate because it has a notochord (a rod down its dorsal side), pharyngeal
pouches, an endostyle (basically a thyroid gland), a dorsal nerve chord, and a post-anal tail.
Class: Reptilia The massasauga is a reptile because it has dry, rough scales made of keratin.
Order: Squamata The massasauga is a member of this order because it has a transverse cloacal opening, a highly
moveable skull in comparison to other reptiles, and it sheds its skin throughout its life.
Family: Viperidae Massasaugas are considered to be in this family because they have hollow fangs that fold back into
The breeding seasons for the massasauga rattlesnake takes place during the spring and the fall. It takes
around one year after breeding before birth which includes hibernation as well. The massasauga is
ovoviviparous, meaning they are born alive. A female may give birth to as many as twenty each season. The
baby snakes stay in the same area for about five days, usually in a burrow or another protective place where the
mother has decided to have her young. After they shed their skin they are born with, they leave the nest and are
on their own. The young snakes grow very quickly, and they can shed their skin up to five times a year.
These rattlesnakes take around two years to mature. Their life span is about fourteen years. Many are
predators to larger animals like hawks and other large birds, but their biggest threat by far is man. The
massasauga rattle snakes have found their way onto the endangered species list .
the mouth, venom, keeled scales (their scales have a small ridge on them that give them a rough feeling), their scale
pattern and color are used for camouflage, a triangular head, and they are ovoviviparous (their young are basically
born live).
Genus: Sistrurus Massasaugas have 9 enlarged scales at the top of their heads which puts them into this genus. They
are also referred to as pygmy rattlesnakes, because they have a rattle on their tail.
Species: S. catenatus The scientific name of the massasauga comes from the Latin words Sistrum and oura which mean
“rattle” and “tail” respectively, and catenatus, which means chained. The chained part describes the patterns on the
back of the massasauga.
Interesting Facts
•It’s name in Chippewa means ‘great river mouth’
•There are three types of These rattle snakes: the Eastern
Massasauga, the Desert Massasauga, and the Western
Massasauga
•These rattlesnakes along with many others have stopped using
their rattlers as a warning system because they have been hunted
for so long that the ‘rattle’ gives them away.
•Does not always release venom into victim.
• It is the only venomous snake to be found in Ontario and one of
two in Wisconsin.
•The length of the snake varies from two to three feet and some
adults grown longer than three feet.
Habitat and Habits
The massasauga rattlesnakes are found in prairies and low lying places along lakes, rivers and marshes. so it has been well named indeed as the name in
Chippewa means ‘great river mouth’. Besides the Chihuahuan desert, there are many found in southern Wisconsin, but the wetlands there have been dredged
and now the habitat is gone. There are also many found in Ontario. These snakes are attracted to wide open spaces. Even though their summers are spent in
drier areas, it prefers the wetlands the remainder of the year. Unlike most snakes, during hibernation they don’t follow a group hibernation pattern. They find
crevasses made by crayfish and hibernate alone. They feed on birds and small animals.
References
The Massasauga Rattlesnake. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.massasaugarattlesnake.net
Yeakel, John. (2007). The massasauga. Retrieved from http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/2010/yeakel_john/index.htm
Eastern massasauga rattlesnake. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pbase.com/dataman/image/28325398
Lauren Carranza
Biology 1407
Due: 3/29/2011