Snakes
Massasauga Rattlesnake
Sistrurus catenatus - Ontario's only venomous snake
- 47.2-76cm; record 100.3cm
- grey to brownish grey with darker blotches along back and several rows of alternating blotches along sides; blotches edges in white
- black snakes with no pattern, very rare
- pit on each side of head between eye and nostril
- distinct segmented rattle
- tail thick, squarish; does not taper to a point like all others
- Does not always rattle a warning; relies on pattern and remaining motionless to go undetected
- heavy bodied; often found coiled
- belly black
- scales keeled; anal scale single
- gives birth to live young.
- THREATENED
WORKING TOGETHER TO SAVE THE EASTERN MASSASAUGA RATTLESNAKE