TABLE OF CONTENTS

•  1 . . . Preface
   

•  2 . . . Table of Contents
   

•  5 . . . Section 1 - Introduction

  •  5 . . . Stewardship of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

    • 5 . . . The Empowerment of Stewardship
    • 5 . . . The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Recovery Team
  •  6 . . . Threats to the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
    • 6 . . . A Snake at Risk
  •  7 . . . Characteristics of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
    • 7 . . . A Shy and threatened Reptile
  •  8 . . . Using this Guide
     
• 10 . . . Section 2 - The Physical, Behavioural and Genetic Characteristics
  of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
   
  • 10 . . . Physical Appearance (morphology)
    • 10 . . . The General Look
    • 11 . . . The Remarkable Rattle
    • 13 . . . Snake Skin - Three Layers of Protection
    • 14 . . . A Heat Sensing Pit
    • 15 . . . The Forked Tongue
    • 16 . . . Sensing Vibrations
    • 16 . . . Touch
    • 16 . . . Venom
       
  • 17 . . . Behavioural Characteristics
    • 17 . . . Feeding Facts
    • 18 . . . Temperature Control
    • 20 . . . Mating and Young - Gestation
    • 22 . . . Threats to Gestation Sites
    • 22 . . . Hibernation
    • 24 . . . Threats to the Hibernaculum
    • 24 . . . Emergence
       
  • 24 . . . Genetic Diversity
     
• 26 . . . Section 3 - Identifying Ontario's Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
  And its Look-Alikes
   
  • 26 . . . Telling the Snakes Apart
    • 26 . . . Knowing Which Snake is Which
    • 26 . . . Things to consider when you see a snake:
    • 27 . . . Similar, but not the same
    • 27 . . . Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
       
  • 29 . . . "Look Alike" Snakes: Knowing the Difference
    • 29 . . . Eastern Fox Snake
    • 31 . . . Eastern Milk Snake
    • 32 . . . Northern Water Snake
    • 33 . . . Eastern Hognose Snake
       
  • 35 . . . Compare the Massasauga to these Look-Alike Species
     
• 37 . . . Section 4 - Rattlesnake Safety
   
  • 37 . . . People and Rattlesnakes
    • 37 . . . Snake Safety Tips
       
  • 38 . . . People and Snakebite
    • 38 . . . About Rattlesnake Venom
       
  • 39 . . . First Aid for Humans
    • 39 . . . What to do if you are bitten
    • 39 . . . If a snakebite occurs the most important actions are:
    • 39 . . . Follow-up Activities
    • 40 . . . Human Medical Treatment Centres
       
  • 41 . . . First Aid for Pets
    • 41 . . . First Aid for Dogs
    • 42 . . . Prevention
    • 42 . . . Become knowledgeable
       
• 43 . . . Section 5 - Living Near Ontario's Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
   
  • 43 . . . The Ojibway Prairie Complex
    • 43 . . . Description
    • 44 . . . Protected Areas
    • 44 . . . Threats
    • 45 . . . Research and Protection
    • 45 . . . Research and Education
    • 46 . . . Prescribed Burns
    • 47 . . . Involvement in Prairie Protection
    • 47 . . . Living with Ojibway’s Prairie Wildlife
       
  • 49 . . . Wainfleet Bog
    • 49 . . . Description
    • 50 . . . Protected Areas
    • 50 . . . Threats
    • 51 . . . Research and Protection
    • 51 . . . Wainfleet Recovery Initiatives
    • 52 . . . Recovery Benefits
    • 52 . . . Living with Wainfleet Bog’s Wildlife
       
  • 54 . . . Bruce Peninsula
    • 54 . . . Description
    • 54 . . . Protected Areas
    • 55 . . . Threats
    • 56 . . . Research and Protection
    • 57 . . . Living with Wildlife on the Bruce Peninsula
    • 58 . . . Stewardship at Work in Your Community
       
  • 61 . . . Eastern Georgian Bay
    • 61 . . . Description
    • 61 . . . Protected Areas
    • 62 . . . Threats
    • 63 . . . Perceptions of Traditional Wildlife in Georgian Bay
    • 63 . . . Research and Protection
    • 65 . . . Please Brake For Snakes!
    • 65 . . . Eastern Massasauga Habitat Suitability Model –
      Georgian Bay Islands National Park
    • 65 . . . Living with Eastern Georgian Bay’s Wildlife
    • 68 . . . Stewardship at Work in Your Community
       
  • 69 . . . Co-existing with Rattlesnakes
    • 69 . . . Property Owners Can Help
    • 69 . . . Living with Wildlife
    • 72 . . . Tips to Keep Snakes and People Safe
    • 74 . . . Snake Acceptance in Ontario
       
• 75 . . . Section 6 – Legislation, Provincial Policy and Status
   
  • 75 . . . Snake Protection and Ontario Law
    • 75 . . . COSEWIC, RENEW, AND COSSARO
    • 75 . . . COSEWIC Species Risk Categories
    • 76 . . . Status and Protection
    • 76 . . . The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (1997)
    • 76 . . . The Planning Act and Provincial Policy Statement
       
  • 77 . . . Technical Guidelines
     
  • 77 . . . Preserving Ontario’s Natural Diversity
     
  • 78 . . . For More Information
     
• 79 . . . Section 7 – Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake: Information and Contacts
   
  • 79 . . . Organizations to Contact
    • 79 . . . Websites
    • 79 . . . Workshops
    • 80 . . . Educational Resources
    • 80 . . . General Information
    • 81 . . . Ojibway area
    • 81 . . . Wainfleet bog area
    • 82 . . . Bruce Peninsula Area
    • 82 . . . Georgian Bay Area

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