6th grade Computer Literacy Group
Blue Mountain Middle School
Cortlandt Manor, New York
USA
Description:
The Eastern Massasauga is a snake. This snake is a medium-sized, dark colored,
pygmy rattlesnake with 29 to 50 dark dorsal blotches on its gray or brownish
gray body. Its short thick gray body is an easy way to identify this unusual
snake and it is about 2-3 feet long. The head of the rattlesnake is thick
and in a triangular shape with black stripes.It's stomach is black and
marked with white and/or yellowish spots. The pupils of the snake’s eyes
are almost in an elliptical shape. Both the triangular head and the
elliptical eyes are two very easy ways to identify any poisonous
snake. This snake also has a stubby tail that has a rattle tip. The male
and female snakes are different sizes so you can tell the difference between
them. The male is 24-25 inches long, the female is 17-25 inches long. The
tail adds 1.5 –3.5 to the male and 1.5-2.5 to the female. The male weighs
between 1 and 7.5 ounces; the female weighs between 2.5 and 8.5 ounces.
Environment:
Massasaugas live in wet areas including wet prairies, marshes and low areas
along rivers and lakes. In many areas Massasaugas also use adjacent uplands
during part of the year. The Eastern Massasauga is generally
found in wetland areas and river bottoms. There is evidence to indicate
that these snakes migrate from wet areas to drier ones during the summer.
Massasaugas often hibernate in crayfish burrows, but can also be found
under logs. Massasaugas are not like other snakes, which hibernate in a
group, they hibernate alone. The Massasauga avoids open waters, and prefers
the cover of broad-leafed plants. The Massasauga requires wetlands for
winter survival. The Massasauga is found in natural opening within forests
created by beavers.
Problems:
Post-glacial changes effect the Eastern Massasauga’s habitat. The loss
of habitat, and the fact that people capture the snakes, have decreased
the population. Many people also kill the snakes for the fear of a snake
bite. By natural effects and human effects their habitat, swompy areas
and bogs, are decreasing and so is their population.
Solutions:
Summary:
We chose the Eastern Massasauga because this rattle snake is very interesting.
Although it is very small it is also very venomous, but not likely to bite
humans. In fact it is so venomous that it’s venom is more toxic than
a timber rattler. They’re lively when the sky is cloudy, but it is warm
and moist.
References:
www.speicesatrisk.gc.ca/speices/searchdetails/e.cfm?
www.Midwest.fws.gal/endangered/reptiles/eama-fct-sht.html
www.dnr.state.oh/wildlife/reasoures/wildnotes/pub374.htm
www.dnr.wi.us/org/land/er/factsheets/herps/masrat.htm
-19k-Jan.
15,2003