Is a massasauga a rattlesnake?

How many types of rattlesnakes are there in the desert?

The desert massasauga rattlesnake is one of three subspecies of massasauga, which comprise eastern ( S. catenatus catenatus), western ( S. c. tergeminus ), and desert varieties ( S. c. edwardsii ).

What does a massasauga rattlesnake look like?

The massasauga rattlesnake does not grow very large. It is only 45-75 centimetres (18-30 inches) long, and is a short, stocky breed of snake rather than a long and slim one. It has a grey or tan coloured body with a row of large brown or black spots down the centre of its back and three small rows of spots down either side.

What kind of snake has a triangular head with three stripes?

This snake has a triangular head with three dark stripes running down the sides, and although it is a rattlesnake, its tail rattlers can occasionally fall off. The massasauga is the only snake in Ontario with a vertical pupil.

What do you know about the massasauga rattlesnake?

Fun Facts. The name “Massasauga” comes from a Chippewa Indian word meaning “great river mouth.”. This probably refers to the wet habitats preferred by the eastern and western subspecies. The venom of the Massasauga rattlesnake is hemolytic, which means it causes the breakdown of red blood cells in its victim.

What is a massasauga?

Massasaugas generally are associated with water, are rarely found more than 50 kilometres from the Great Lakes, and often inhabit wetlands near rivers. In Ojibwa, the word “Massasauga” means “great river mouth.”

How many species of Massasauga are there?

Three subspecies are currently recognized, though only the Desert Massasauga is found in Arizona. The Eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) and Western Massasauga (S. c. tergeminus) are found in the eastern and midwestern portions of the species range.

What does a prairie massasauga snake look like?

The prairie massasauga is a medium-sized, dark rattlesnake with a short, thick body. General coloration is light gray to dark gray, with rows of dark to light brown blotches down the middle of the back and along both sides. The belly is generally light colored. The head is a thick diamond shape with dark stripes extending back from the eyes.

What are the different types of massasauga rattlesnakes?

There are three different subspecies, or types, of Massasauga rattlesnakes: the eastern, western, and desert Massasaugas. (We have the first two types at the Saint Louis Zoo.) While they have much in common, the three subspecies all look a little different. The eastern variety usually has a background color of gray to brownish gray.

What kind of snakes live in the desert?

A ll types of snake, including rattlesnakes, adders, vipers, boas, and cobras, live in deserts worldwide. Snakes do well in this environment due to their cold-blooded nature, the ability to eat only once every couple of weeks, and the ability to conserve and absorb water from different sources. What is the most dangerous snake in the desert?

How common are massasauga rattlesnake bites in Ontario?

Most massasauga rattlesnake bites in Ontario occur when people accidentally step on these snakes, or when they attempt to handle them. There are only two recorded incidents in Ontario of people dying from a massasauga bite, and in both cases they did not receive proper medical treatment.

Do snakes have different colors on their heads?

Head and neck colors: Some species have distinct markings or colors on the head in the form of bands, stripes or solid areas of color. No pattern: The body is a single, uniform color. Color: Which color (s) is the snake?

What are the different types of stripes on snakes?

Stripes: are lines of color run lengthwise down the snake’s body. They may be only a scale wide or may be many scales wide. Two-toned: Where the back and belly are different colors. Head and neck colors: Some species have distinct markings or colors on the head in the form of bands, stripes or solid areas of color.

What snakes have yellow stripes on their body?

The stripes on these snakes can also be orange or red and they can have a varied amount of stripes on their body. Another snake which is black in colour with yellow stripes is the Texas Patchnose snake which averages around 3 feet in length.

What kind of pattern does a snake have?

Patterns: What kinds of patterns does the snake have? Blotches: large blocks of color that are irregular or rectangular, often with dark borders. Diamonds: large, diamond shaped markings of one or multiple colors. Speckles: one or more dots or flecks of color per scale.

What snakes Buzz their tails when scared?

Venomous pit vipers (cottonmouths, copperheads, terciopelos, cantils, and bushmasters) will rattle their tails when scared or threatened. Also, non-venomous rat snakes, corn snakes, kingsnakes, and gopher snakes will buzz their tails against the ground to frighten off predators.

Do snakes hold their tails horizontally or vertically?

While a rattlesnake will hold its tail vertically while rattling, other snakes shake their tails horizontally. Snakes without rattles don’t produce their own rattling sound, but create a similar buzzing noise when their tail vibrates against the ground or an object. 1 Why Do Snakes Rattle Their Tails? Why Do Snakes Rattle Their Tails?

Why do snakes Rattle Their tails?

The Rattle Provides a Distraction – Some scientists believe that snakes rattle their tails to distract attention away from their faces. Tails are less vulnerable to harm than faces, so this behavior may help the snake to feel less exposed. Tail-rattling is mostly a defensive behavior that warns predators to back off.

Why do colubrid snakes shake their tails?

Moreover, ancestral snakes have been known to silently shake their tails before rattlesnakes evolved to produce a buzzing rattle. Whether a colubrid is mimicking the venomous rattlesnake, or is continuing its ancestral behavior, tail vibration is most likely a method of self-defense against potential predators.

How many stripes does a great horned snake have?

It has two distinctive white stripes on each side of its head. Larger individuals in this species can reach lengths approaching one metre. This dangerously venomous snake has been responsible for a number of Australian fatalities and will readily bite if provoked.

What are the different types of snakes?

Specific prefixes include common, mountain, ribbon, plains and aquatic (garter snake). They usually have a dark background color – grey, brown or black – with one or more longitudinal dorsal yellow stripes, running from head to tail. These snakes can be very vibrant and brilliant!