Massasauga rattlesnake

The massasauga rattlesnake is a medium sized, dark coloured, pygmy rattlesnake with 29 to 50 dark dorsal blotches on its grey or brownish grey body. There are three rows of smaller dark spots on each side of the body. The head is thick and triangular with black stripes; the belly is black and irregularly marked with white or yellowish spots. The head of the massassauga is covered at the crown, in nine plates, which is a trait only shared with other pygmy and nonpoisonous snakes. The pupils of its eyes are elliptical. The most distinguishable feature of this snake is the stubby rattle on the end of its tail. This rattle is composed of loosely attached horny segments that strike against each other to produce a buzzing sound when the tail is vibrated rapidly. This rattle is represented in very young snakes by a "button". A new segment is added each time the skin is shed (about three to four times per year); the segments become increasingly larger until the snake reaches adult size. It is interesting to note that some other Ontario snakes such as the Milk and Fox snakes will also vibrate their tails but they do not possess rattles. The rattle of the massassauga best resembles either escaping steam from a kettle or of cicadas.

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