The Eastern Massasauga RattleSnake... Scarce, Threatened, and Venomous!
This photo shows the eastern massasauga's thick-set body, blotchy color pattern, and rattles. Photo by Mike Redmer, USFWS.
Spring 2017
By Bill Taylor, Chairman of the Board
Dr. Patrick Rusz discussed a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposal to classify the eastern massasauga rattlesnake as a “threatened” species in our Winter 2016 newsletter. This classification is one step better than “endangered,” and indicates that the species will probably become endangered or extinct without special help.
The USFWS completed its rule-making process and formally classified the eastern massasauga as a “threatened” species last September. This action creates the challenge of helping a venomous snake without placing its human neighbors in danger. It also imposes most of this challenge on Michigan because we have most of the world's remaining massasaugas. As a result, Michiganders who spend time in potential massasauga locations should know something about the species and be able to distinguish it from several harmless snakes.
By Bill Taylor, Chairman of the Board
Dr. Patrick Rusz discussed a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposal to classify the eastern massasauga rattlesnake as a “threatened” species in our Winter 2016 newsletter. This classification is one step better than “endangered,” and indicates that the species will probably become endangered or extinct without special help.
The USFWS completed its rule-making process and formally classified the eastern massasauga as a “threatened” species last September. This action creates the challenge of helping a venomous snake without placing its human neighbors in danger. It also imposes most of this challenge on Michigan because we have most of the world's remaining massasaugas. As a result, Michiganders who spend time in potential massasauga locations should know something about the species and be able to distinguish it from several harmless snakes.
The eastern fox snake is occasionally mistaken for a massasauga. Photo by Nick Scobel.
Many of us have heard statements to the effect that eastern massasaugas have such mild venom that they are not a threat to humans. In reality, they have some of the most potent venom of any rattlesnake. Fortunately, this is offset by a calm disposition and a relatively small amount of venom per strike. However, eastern massasaugas can and occasionally do kill a human.
These snakes historically ranged from New York State to Pennsylvania on the east to Minnesota and Iowa on the west. I could not find any human fatality figures for their entire range, but local studies indicate that massasaugas have killed several people in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana and at least two people in Ontario. The late outdoor writer Ben East also documented an incident in which a massasauga killed a 14 year old boy near Benton Harbor, Michigan. In fairness, most of these deaths occurred 75 years or more ago when whiskey was the largely useless snakebite treatment.
These snakes historically ranged from New York State to Pennsylvania on the east to Minnesota and Iowa on the west. I could not find any human fatality figures for their entire range, but local studies indicate that massasaugas have killed several people in Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana and at least two people in Ontario. The late outdoor writer Ben East also documented an incident in which a massasauga killed a 14 year old boy near Benton Harbor, Michigan. In fairness, most of these deaths occurred 75 years or more ago when whiskey was the largely useless snakebite treatment.
The harmless eastern hognose snake has a distinctive upturned snout, and can also inflate its neck to scare potential enemies. Photo by Jim Harding.
In Michigan, massasaugas live in scattered populations from our southern border northward to Bois Blanc Island in the Straits of Mackinaw. They hibernate below the frost line in wetlands, and frequently spend the spring and fall in these same wetlands. However, they usually move up into nearby fields and open woods in the summer to soak up sun and catch mice and other prey. As a result, people who frequent wetlands and nearby uplands in the Lower Peninsula should be aware of their potential presence.
Physically, massasaugas have thick, grayish bodies that rarely exceed 32 inches in length. They also have large black blotches down the middle of their gray backs and smaller black blotches along their sides. Massasaugas usually also have several button-like rattles on their tails that make a distinctive warning sound when the snake vibrates them. While this warning is frequently described as a rattle, it sounds more like the buzzing of an angry bumblebee in the grass to some of us.
Physically, massasaugas have thick, grayish bodies that rarely exceed 32 inches in length. They also have large black blotches down the middle of their gray backs and smaller black blotches along their sides. Massasaugas usually also have several button-like rattles on their tails that make a distinctive warning sound when the snake vibrates them. While this warning is frequently described as a rattle, it sounds more like the buzzing of an angry bumblebee in the grass to some of us.
The eastern milk snake is also occasionally mistaken for a massasauga. Photo by Nick Scobel.
Whatever description you prefer, the warning is serious because massasaugas have a typical pair of rattlesnake fangs connected to venom producing organs. These fangs fold up against the roof of the snake's mouth when the mouth is closed, and drop down into biting position when it is opened.
Massasaugas also have openings called pits in front and below each eye that lead to special infrared sensing organs. These remarkable organs sense the infrared radiation being emitted by warm-blooded animals, and allow the snake to “see” nearby prey or enemies in total darkness.
Massasaugas have broad triangular heads to accommodate this venom and infrared equipment, and these heads are one of their key identifying features.
Massasaugas also have openings called pits in front and below each eye that lead to special infrared sensing organs. These remarkable organs sense the infrared radiation being emitted by warm-blooded animals, and allow the snake to “see” nearby prey or enemies in total darkness.
Massasaugas have broad triangular heads to accommodate this venom and infrared equipment, and these heads are one of their key identifying features.
The northern water snake is normally darker than the massasauga, and is always found in water or very close to it. Photo by Nick Scobel.
Michiganders occasionally mistake a harmless fox or milk snake for a massasauga because these snakes also have dark blotches on their backs and may hiss and strike at a human intruder. However, they lack rattles and have narrower heads and brighter color patterns than the earthtone massasauga.
Hognose snakes come in a wide variety of color patterns, and some of these patterns also vaguely resemble massasaugas. These snakes frequently frighten people even more by inflating their necks like a cobra and making mock strikes. However, hognose snakes are harmless bluffers, and can be distinguished from every other Michigan snake (including massasaugas) by the upturned snout that gives the species its name. I live on a lake where people also regularly mistake northern water snakes for one of our rare local massasaugas. However, these non-poisonous snakes are considerably darker than the typical massasauga, and are always found in water or within a few feet of it. They also lack rattles and have narrower heads than massasaugas.
Hognose snakes come in a wide variety of color patterns, and some of these patterns also vaguely resemble massasaugas. These snakes frequently frighten people even more by inflating their necks like a cobra and making mock strikes. However, hognose snakes are harmless bluffers, and can be distinguished from every other Michigan snake (including massasaugas) by the upturned snout that gives the species its name. I live on a lake where people also regularly mistake northern water snakes for one of our rare local massasaugas. However, these non-poisonous snakes are considerably darker than the typical massasauga, and are always found in water or within a few feet of it. They also lack rattles and have narrower heads than massasaugas.
Massasaugas blend into grass extremely well. Photo by Nick Scobel.
One of my lake neighbors found a real massasauga several years ago by accidentally hitting it with string feeder while trimming his lawn. The snake bit him twice just above the ankle, and my neighbor was so loopy after driving himself to the Eaton Rapids hospital that the staff initially thought that he was having a drug overdose. However, they ultimately did a good job administering antivenom helicoptered in from Ann Arbor, and in hospitalizing him for a couple of days when he developed cardiac arrhythmia. I am mentioning this episode to help illustrate how well-camouflaged and dangerous massasaugas can be. This snake would probably have struck a child that accidentally stepped on it just as quickly, and with more serious results. People who live in rattlesnake country know this, and no law is going to persuade parents to tolerate them near their children.
Massasaugas have broad, triangular heads. Photo by Dan Kennedy.
On the other hand, I am continually surprised by the amount of tolerance that massasaugas receive from people who do not have special circumstances like small children. My neighbor who received those two bites did not attempt to kill the snake, and another friend recently went to the trouble of relocating a massasauga from his yard to the back of his farm instead of killing it.
This tolerance seems to be increasing, and the public notice on the massasauga's “threatened” status indicated that grants will be available to some organizations and landowners who agree to help the species. This USFWS notice also states that Michigan has agreed to manage 136,000 acres of State land to benefit them.
No article about massasaugas would be complete without mentioning some sensible safety precautions. I wear eight inch high boots and heavyweight jeans when I tromp through massasauga habitat, and notice that the sneakerwearing friends who make fun of these precautions always want me to walk through the marsh grass first. Of course, some very large rattlesnake species down south and out west would require higher boots or leg guards above them.
This tolerance seems to be increasing, and the public notice on the massasauga's “threatened” status indicated that grants will be available to some organizations and landowners who agree to help the species. This USFWS notice also states that Michigan has agreed to manage 136,000 acres of State land to benefit them.
No article about massasaugas would be complete without mentioning some sensible safety precautions. I wear eight inch high boots and heavyweight jeans when I tromp through massasauga habitat, and notice that the sneakerwearing friends who make fun of these precautions always want me to walk through the marsh grass first. Of course, some very large rattlesnake species down south and out west would require higher boots or leg guards above them.