Massasauga Rattlesnake
Massasauga rattlesnakes are a species of special concern in Colorado due to declining populations, possibly due to habitat loss.
About This Species
Like all rattlesnakes, the Massasauga rattlesnake has a rattle on its tail that warns predators of its presence and has a venomous bite that is dangerous to humans.
Living with Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes have a lot of misconceptions or folklore surrounding them because they are often perceived as mysterious and are generally misunderstood. Colorado Parks and Wildlife species conservation coordinator Tina Jackson has spent the last 20 years learning about snakes, and she shared her knowledge of rattlesnakes on the Colorado Outdoors podcast.
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Physical Characteristics
Horny rattle or button on end of tail; usually nine large, symmetrically arranged scales on top of head (sometimes with several small scales interspersed); head broader than neck; pit on each side of face between (but lower than) eye and nostril; upper side blotched; upper scales keeled; pupil vertically elongate (like a cat’s) in bright light; usually less than 20 inches (50 cm) snout-vent length in Colorado, averaging around 15-16 inches (38–40 cm) total length.
Range
Southeastern Colorado at elevations below about 5,500 feet.
Habitat
Dry plains grassland and sandhill areas; attracted to sandy soils supporting abundant rodent and lizard populations; hibernates singly in rodent burrows, often in firm, loamy soils adjacent to sandy areas used for feeding.
Diet
The diet includes various frogs, spadefoot toads, lizards, small snakes (such as the ground snake and lined snake), shrews, and mice, sometimes centipedes and carrion (e.g., road kills). Young massasaugas generally eat lizards and add rodents to the diet as they grow larger.
Reproduction
Females give birth to their young beginning in late August or early September.
Threats to Species
- Habitat loss
- Climate change