PRAIRIE MASSASAUGA RATTLESNAKE
Sistrurus tergeminus tergeminus
Venomous
ENDANGERED
The prairie massasauga is a medium-sized, dark rattlesnake with a short, thick body. Adult dorsal color 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 gray colored. The head is a thick diamond shape with dark stripes extending back from the eyes. The tail has a small short rattle.
Adults grow 18-30 inches.
Mainly found in bottomland or wet prairies dominated by cordgrass, sedges, bullrushes, and smartweeds, and lowlands by rivers, lakes, and marshes. They require wetlands associated with river floodplains of north Missouri. Populations have declined because of habitat loss. The Massasaugas feed primarily upon rodents (especially voles and deer mice) , small snakes and lizards. Human deaths caused by its bite are rare, but analysis shows that the massasauga's venom is highly toxic, so it must be respected and classified as a danger.
Small numbers survive in north-central and northwest Missouri. Recently recorded in only Chariton, Lynn, and Holt counties. The prairie massasauga used to be considered the same species as the eastern massasauga.
ENDANGERED
The prairie massasauga is a medium-sized, dark rattlesnake with a short, thick body. Adult dorsal color 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 gray colored. The head is a thick diamond shape with dark stripes extending back from the eyes. The tail has a small short rattle.
Adults grow 18-30 inches.
Mainly found in bottomland or wet prairies dominated by cordgrass, sedges, bullrushes, and smartweeds, and lowlands by rivers, lakes, and marshes. They require wetlands associated with river floodplains of north Missouri. Populations have declined because of habitat loss. The Massasaugas feed primarily upon rodents (especially voles and deer mice) , small snakes and lizards. Human deaths caused by its bite are rare, but analysis shows that the massasauga's venom is highly toxic, so it must be respected and classified as a danger.
Small numbers survive in north-central and northwest Missouri. Recently recorded in only Chariton, Lynn, and Holt counties. The prairie massasauga used to be considered the same species as the eastern massasauga.
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