Massasauga Rattlesnake

Sistrurus catenatus

Species Status: Endangered (Carolinian population) and Threatened (Great Lakes/St. Lawrence population) in Canada

Action Required: Conservation breeding, reintroduction, population augmentation and translocations

Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

As Ontario’s only remaining venomous reptile, the massasauga rattlesnake has faced widespread persecution, despite the fact that it poses little threat to public safety. In First Nations traditions, the massasauga rattlesnake is the medicine keeper of the land — a reminder to tread lightly and to take only what we need.

An important component of our ecosystems, the massasauga is a relatively small, thick-bodied rattlesnake. Although often confused with other banded or blotched snakes (such as the eastern foxsnake), the massasauga’s distinctive rattle sets it apart. When shaken, the rattle produces a high-pitched buzzing noise that warns animals and people to move away. This snake is very shy and generally avoids human contact. When it is respected and given a wide berth, bites are uncommon. Deaths as a result of massasauga bites are virtually unheard of in Ontario.

Habitat

Massasauga habitat in Canada includes meadow, peat lands, shoreline habitats, wetlands, bedrock barrens and coniferous forests. Massasaugas are usually associated with water and are generally found within 50 km of the Great Lakes. To thrive, these snakes need open patches where they can sun themselves and hibernation sites like animal burrows, rock crevices or tree root cavities that extend below the frost line.

Range

Massasaugas can be found from southern Illinois north to the Great Lakes Basin. In Canada, they are limited to Ontario, where they live along the Georgian Bay shoreline and in the Carolinian Region.

Threats

Massasaugas face a number of threats across their Ontario range, including habitat loss, road mortality, intentional killing and illegal collection for the pet trade. The two populations remaining in the Carolinian region are particularly small, which makes them extremely sensitive to these threats.

Recovery

Recommended Recovery Actions

Among other measures, the federal massasauga Recovery Strategy calls for habitat management and protection, along with communication and outreach to reduce killing and collection. For the Carolinian population, conservation breeding and reintroduction are recommended, if feasible, as well as determining the effectiveness of translocations.

What we are doing

What is the Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery?

In Canada, massasauga rattlesnakes are limited to the Georgian Bay shoreline and only two isolated habitats in Ontario’s Carolinian Zone: the Ojibway Prairie Complex near Windsor and the Wainfleet Bog near Welland. However, there have been no sightings at Ojibway Prairie since 2019. We’re working to reverse that.

In 2021, WPC was asked to lead the creation of a provincial recovery implementation team for the massasauga. We’ve successfully begun overwintering snakes in preparation for reintroducing them to Ojibway Prairie. We’re restoring habitat, setting up barriers to prevent cars from running over young snakes and reaching out to local landowners to encourage stewardship. In the process, we’re also benefiting other at-risk species.

Purpose

We work to protect the massasauga rattlesnake from further impact by taking conservation actions that focus on monitoring, assessing and analyzing population recovery, as well as supporting our partners recovery efforts.

Goals

2023

In 2023 we plan to have:

24 massasuagas overwintered successfully in artificial hibernavula at Ojibway prairie

Mid-Term

Long-Term

Find out how Wildlife Preservation Canada helps save Canada’s reptiles and amphibians, including massasaugas, and how you can make a difference.

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Massasauga Rattlesnake

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Massasauga Rattlesnake

Sistrurus catenatus