Nikki Gervais plz read...

[Kyle Walkinshaw]

Nikki, just for curiosity sake i'd like to see the information you gave Lisa a little while ago on the Massassaugas. I am very interested in this species, in fact I was fourtunate enough to find a few up in Georgian Bay this past summer. Beautiful snakes!!

Thx, Kyle Walkinshaw-

[Nikki Gervais]

Hey there!
Sorry I didn't respond immidiately, I haven't been on the site lately, been real busy with work and such... :)

Here is similar info to what I sent Lisa, only difference is I added more. Please keep in mind that while doing research you can come across all sorts of answers to your questions. If anyone feels any of the info is incorrect don't hesitate to speak up. :)

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Eastern massassaugas require care like most other Canadian snakes. Several care points listed are approximate based on other Canadian snakes found in the eastern massy's range due to the fact that there is just no such thing as a care sheet for them. I have never kept them since they are illegal to keep however I really wish I could keep one. They truly are my favourite rattlesnake. In addition to being illegal to own, it is also illegal to kill or harass them. According to local wildlife officials in Parry Sound, charges include but are not limited to: $5000 fine and/or possible jail time. Not something I'm eager to experience.

Common Name: Eastern Massassauga Rattlesnake
Latin Name: Sistrurus C. Catenatus
Family: Viperidae
Subfamily: Crotalinae
Genus: Sistrurus
Species: Catenatus
Subspecies: Catenatus
Status Within Ontario: Threatened
Size: 50 - 70 cm (20 - 30") possibly more, usually quite small though
Appearance: Large circular blotches down back, 2 - 3 smaller rows of blotches on each side. The blotches can be brown, reddish or even black. The ground colour is beige, tan or grey. The scales are keeled in 25 rows. The pupils are vertical slits and there is no other Ontario snake with pupils like them. Heat pits on each side of the head. Head can be much smaller in comparison to the body. On average, there are 2 white or beige bars on facial cheeks and one along the bottom jaw. The belly is black mostly with irregular little beige spots and marks. Tail is stocky with a little rattle averaging 1 1/2" long (I was playing with one once, they sound really neat!).
Range Within Canada: Found in four areas within Canada, all in Ontario: A several km strip along Georgian Bay in and around Parry Sound, Ojibway Nature Reserve in Windsor, the Bruce Peninsula and in the Wainfleet Bog near Niagara Falls. The Georgian Bay area has the largest population.
Active: Crepuscular and nocturnal mostly, however they can also be diurnal in cool weather.
Venom: Mild, very few deaths have occurred as a result from the bite. Antivenin is usually readily available within their range.
Venom Effect: Causes complications with the blood including but not limited to: Disruption of blood flow, prevents blood clotting, internal bleeding
Venom Yield: Average: 25 - 35 mg, lethal dose: 30 - 40mg
Temperature: 75 - 82.5 F (23 - 27 C)
Basking Spot: 83 - 84 F (28 C), temperatures above 90 F (32 C) can result in death very quickly.
Humidity: 40 - 60%
Reproduction: Breeds from April to May, give live birth to 3 - 20 neonates which are 16 - 24 cm (6 - 9") long, born from July to August.
Substrate: Mulch (forest floor, aspen bedding etc), paper towel
Diet: Small mammals and birds, possibly ground skinks
Behavior: E. massys are known to be very shy, placid snakes. Quite inoffensive and uninclined to bite. More often then not they will flee before trying to fight.
Habitat: Terrestrial, these snakes can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Found in boggy areas near swamps but they also like rocky areas, wetland and woodland areas. They are often seen traveling on the roads and parking lots in Killbear Provincial Park lol. Was a blast when I went there this past summer. :)
Notes: These animals can strike only a small distance so if you play it safe and remain at a distance from them there is no risk of a bite. Their strike distance is about 1/3 their own body length. Many specimens I have seen are completely tame. No rattling, no hissing or striking. All the ones I have seen make beautiful display snakes, with gorgeous patterns and colours. :)

Links to pictures:
http://www.ethanmeleg.com/rattlesnake.htm
http://www.reptilia.org/images/snakes/massassauga1.htm
http://www.flpa-images.co.uk/preview.asp?picture=2084700001005
http://coloherp.org/geo/species/SpePics/PicSica.jpg
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/images/snakes/massasauga.jpg
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/images/snakes/massasauga_2.jpg
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/images/snakes/massasauga_2_head.jpg
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/images/snakes/mass_03_02.jpg
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-Herpetology/images/snakes/massasauga_baby.jpg

I will have many, many photos of them available on my website at a later date including photos of their rattles compared to dimes for size comparison, photos of the injectable ID tags compared to dimes that are used for identifying each individual snake, and many, many more.

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Anything I forgot to add just let me know and I will dig it up ASAP! :) Please let me know what you think of my research. :)