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Note: Newly hatched or young black rat snakes
and blue racers
have a bold pattern of blotches. Consult the Toronto Zoo’s
snake identifier, or a field guide, for more information.
SIMILAR,
BUT NOT THE SAME
-
northern water, eastern
hognose, eastern milk, and eastern fox
snakes all resemble a massasauga rattlesnake because of a
blotchy pattern along their bodies;
-
eastern fox, black rat and
eastern milk snakes will often vibrate the end of their tail against
leaves, simulating the sound made by
a rattlesnake;
-
northern water, eastern
hognose, eastern milk, and eastern fox
snakes will put on shows of strength or aggression, but are
non-venomous. The massasauga is the only venomous rattlesnake
in Ontario.
EASTERN
MASSASAUGA
RATTLESNAKE
Sistrurus catenatus catenatus
From sistrum = a rattle and oura =
tail, in reference to the rattle at the
tip of the tail. From
catenatus = chained, which describes the pattern on the back.
MASSASAUGA
IS THE CHIPPEWA
WORD FOR GREAT RIVER-MOUTH AND DESCRIBES THE LOCATION WHERE THE SNAKE
WAS FOUND IN MARSHES ALONG RIVERS.
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