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Western massasauga rattlesnake

Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus

Photo by Aaron_G
Published on Project Noah
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36.7473, -95.9808

Field Notes

Description:

This rattlesnake has a row of dark brown blotches that run down the length of its back. It also has three small rows of lighter colored blotches along each side. This snake has keeled scales, a vertical pupil (not round), and an obvious heat-sensing pit between the eye and nostril.

Habitat:

Pastures and prairie land

Notes:

This specimen marks the smallest western massasauga I have ever found, and it is the earliest in the year that I've come across one.

Reference Links:

Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus, None

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)
Aaron_G
I'm hoping to see more this month as I continue to cruise out-of-the-way roads at night. :-)
Aaron_G
Thanks, everyone. This is the first of what I hope are several massasaugas this year. The neat thing is they are found not very far from my home, so it's a short drive. :-)

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Photographed
PublishedMay 30, 2013

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