Massasauga (Western)

§ Quick facts

§ Encyclopedia

Sistrurus is a genus of pit vipers in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The genus is endemic to Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Its generic name is a Latinized form of the Greek word for "tail rattler" and shares its root with the ancient Egyptian musical instrument, the sistrum, a type of rattle. Three species are currently recognized.

Source: Wikipedia — Sistrurus · Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small rattlesnake with dark blotches on gray-brown background; pale belly with small dark markings; small rattle.

Similar species. Eastern Massasauga (different range, wetter habitat). Pygmy Rattlesnake (smaller, more reddish). Prairie Rattlesnake (larger, more uniform pattern).

Voice. Soft insect-like buzz from small rattle.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Small mammals (deer mice, voles), lizards (especially in Texas populations), small snakes, large insects.

Behavior. Considered a separate species (Sistrurus tergeminus) from Eastern Massasauga since 2011. Found in dry prairie, mesquite scrub, and rocky desert from southeastern Colorado south into Mexico — different habitat from the eastern wetland-dwelling species. Generally docile; rarely encountered.

§ Range

Central US prairie regions

§ Habitat

Open shortgrass and mixed-grass prairie, wet meadows

§ Threats

Prairie loss to row crops, road mortality, persecution.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the massasauga (western) is currently classified as Endangered.

§ What helps

Support prairie conservation. Don't kill snakes. Slow down on rural prairie roads.

§ Further reading

• Wikipedia — Sistrurus
• www.fws.gov — authoritative profile of Sistrurus tergeminus
• IUCN Red List · taxon 64341
• iNaturalist · taxon 30764
• GBIF occurrence records
• Encyclopedia of Life — Sistrurus tergeminus

§ Sources cited

• Texas Parks and Wildlife
• The Orianne Society
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife
• IUCN Red List 2007