Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

Sistrurus catenatus

Animal Class: Reptiles

Length: 15-30 inches

Lifespan: up to 14 years

Diet: Wild: Small mammals, amphibians and insects Zoo: mice

Habitat: Native to the western part of New York and southern Ontario to southern Iowa. The Massasauga likes open shallow wetlands and shrubby swamps. They can be found in small animal burrows. In summer, they like to move toward drier areas such as open meadows.

Description: The eastern Massasauga rattlesnake is a thick, brown to gray, bodied snake with dark brown splotches of color along the back. There are similar rows of color along the sides and the underbelly is usually black or gray. The tail of the snake has rings that progress from dark to light.

Our Animals: The Zoo’s Massasauga rattlesnake lives in the Learning Center.