It is listed as an endangered species in Indiana, and is Federally threatened. The eastern massasauga, a rare sight for most Michigan residents, has been declining due to fragmentation and loss of wetland habitat. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake. Endangered Species Act (Act). Habitat loss and Fragmentation. It lives in wet prairies, bogs and old fields. Michigan is Main Focus of Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Survival Plan, Managing for Massasaugas - Edward Lowe Foundation | Land Stewardship. These rattlesnakes can be found in central New York State and southern Ontario, Canada. U.S.FWS Species profile about species listing status, federal register publications, recovery, critical habitat, conservation planning, petitions, and life history U.S. We prepared a Species Status Assessment to assess the eastern massasauga’s current and projected future ability to survive. Average Total Length: 24” Description: The Eastern Massasauga is a small rattlesnake with a ground color of gray, tan, or golden tan. We know that 38 percent of historical populations have been lost as of 2014 and the status of another 15 percent is uncertain. Bloomington, MN 55437-1458, Contact Us Suitable hibernation habitat for Massasaugas is typically found in lowland areas with water-saturated soils and where the water table is close to the surface so that snakes can avoid desiccation (Johnson 1995, EMRT 2005, Parks Canada Agency 2011). Rattlesnake bites, while extremely rare in Michigan, can and do occur. Wet prairie is the preferred habitat in the west, bogs and swamps in the east. They can also be found westward to the prairies of Iowa and Missouri. State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site. Along with dredging, the succession of forests into meadows and prairies has also destroyed the habitat of the Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes can reach up to 30 inches in length. Massasaugas require habitat for foraging during the warm months and habitat for brumation (hibernation of reptiles) during the cool months of the year (Fogell 2005, Patten 2006). The snake may shed its skin from three to five times in a year. Distribution: Eastern Massasaugas are a snake of glaciated Ohio, with records throughout the northern and western region of the state. Eastern massasaugas have been found in a variety of wetland habitats, including bogs, fens, shrub swamps, wet meadows, marshes, moist grasslands, wet prairies and floodplain forests. The Midwest Region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin. The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (EMR) is listed as a threatened species under the U.S. 4-page PDF. Spatial ecology, habitat preference, and habitat management of the eastern massasauga, Sistrurus c. catenatus, in a New York weaklyminerotrophic peatland. Since the early 1900s damming, road building, surface mining and urbanization have destroyed large amounts of Pennsylvania’s massasauga habitat. The name 'massasauga' means 'great river mouth' in the Chippewa language. Standard Survey Protocol. Their cryptic coloration—irregularly dark saddles alternating against a lighter background—helps them blend into the leaves and branches of their wetland habitat, and their tail ends in a namesake "rattle," a collection of modified scales. Unfortunately, these activities can cause snake mortality if done improperly or poorly timed. It has a heat-sensitive pit on each side of the head between the eye and the nostril. Phone: 612-713-5360 Fish and Wildlife Service Each time the skin is shed a new segment is added to the rattle. Our analysis projects a 90 percent reduction in number of populations over the next 50 years. There are three general habitat characteristics throughout the Eastern Massasauga range: (1) a mix of open, sunny areas and some shade for thermoregulation, (2) water table near the surface that does not freeze for hibernation, and (3) variable elevation for foraging (Szymanski 1998). near you », The eastern massasauga is a small, thick-bodied rattlesnake that lives in shallow wetlands and adjacent uplands in portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ontario. Females give birth to litters of 5 to 20 live young in August or early September. The northern populations in Ontario, Canada, around Georgian Bay are found in rock outcrop areas that are more similar to the habitat where we find timber rattlesnakes. Archives: Chronological list of previous Federal Register publications, with associated information materials, and other actions pertaining to the Endangered Species Act status of the eastern massasauga. The Service listed the eastern massasauga as threatened because of loss of populations throughout its range, declines in the number of individuals within those populations and the fact that threats will continue to cause declines into the future.  If we continue to lose eastern massasauga populations, the species is likely to face extinction in the future. Scales are keeled (ridged). HABITAT: Eastern massasaugas tend to inhabit wetland areas but may also use drier habitats. We know of 558 historical populations, of which 211 have been lost and the status of 84 is uncertain – with the likelihood that many of those populations have also been lost. West, Suite 990 At present, there is no evidence of established breeding populations on the Minnesota side of the Mississippi River (hence … If disturbed it may shake its rattle. The venom of the Massasauga rattlesnake is hemolytic, which means it causes the breakdown of … The Massasauga can be found in wet prairies in their western range and bogs and swamps in the eastern part of their range. Eastern massasaugas have been found in a variety of wetland habitats, including bogs, fens, shrub swamps, wet meadows, marshes, moist grasslands, wet prairies and floodplain forests. Three subspecies are currently recognized including the nominate subspecies described here. Minnesota, New York, Ohio, The Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Habitat Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes are usually found in damp lowland habitats, including bottomland forests, swamps, bogs, fens, marshes, sedge meadows, and wet prairies. The massasauga is a rattlesnake species found in midwestern North America from southern Ontario to northern Mexico and parts of the United States in between. Since the massasauga requires open space, the habitat that remains is threatened by becoming overgrown by trees and shrubs. The eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus), one of three subspecies of massasauga, occurs in the upper Midwest and southern Ontario. Natural predators for the massasauga, particularly the eggs and young, include hawks, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. Endangered Species Act (Act). State of Illinois Coronavirus Response Site. The eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) is a small rattlesnake considered in decline through much of its range and is listed as endangered in Indiana. Counting segments of the rattle is not a good method of aging a snake as the number of segments added each year varies, and segments may be broken or lost. Habitat of Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake These species usually like to dwell on wetlands, swamps, and marshes. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks public comment on draft recovery plan for Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, Habitat: Open to forested wetlands and adjacent upland areas, Region 3 Lead Office: Chicago, Illinois Field Office, Range: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Females mature after three to four years and reproduce every other year. We, the U.S. Generally, they use wetlands in the spring, fall, and winter. This is because of its habitat of swamps, which are often found around the mouths of rivers. It is also known as the 'swamp rattler" and "black snapper." The Botanical Gardens serves as natural habitat for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. The more its marshy haunts are drained and developed, the more the snake is pushed onto islands of habitat where survival is difficult. Fish and Wildlife Service's Endangered Species program is conserving and restoring threatened and endangered species and their ecosystems. It is currently known from less than 10 Illinois populations. A row of dark blotches is present down the back, and there are three rows of dark spots on the sides. Final Environmental Assessment for Eastern Massasauga Candidate Conservation Agreements in the Midwest. 1.2 MB), Recommended The endangered status of the eastern massasauga is mainly due to habitat loss. The massasauga is listed as threatened species by the US Fish and Wildlife Service under the Endangered Species Act. The eastern massasauga may take shelter in crayfish burrows or other underground cavities. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) before 9-Page PDF, Rome State Nature Preserve Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances Ashtabula County, Ohio. Distribution and Habitat Geographic Range. Populations in southern Michigan are typically associated with open wetlands, particularly prairie fens, while those in northern Michigan are better known from lowland coniferous forests, such as cedar swamps (Legge and Rabe 1999). The eastern massasauga is strongly associated with wetlands across most of its range. Young snakes depend more on cold-blooded prey, particularly frogs. Most of those populations are in Michigan and Ontario, Canada.  New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa have fewer populations.Â, U.S. They can be found throughout the central United States and as far north as Canada. The analysis predicts a continuing decline in the number of eastern massasauga populations. In addition to the loss of populations, we expect the extent of species’ range will shrink by more than 80 percent over the next 50 years as populations are lost.Â, Final Rule (Federal Register Sept. 30, 2016), Species Status Assessment (117-page PDF ; 2.4MB), Range-wide Extinction Risk Modeling for the The Act protects the EMR and their habitat by prohibiting “take” and may require federal agencies to coordinate with the U.S. Generally, they use wetlands in the spring, fall, and winter. Find a location Regulatory Status. The mission of the U.S. In Indiana, massasaugas were historically distributed ... An area of suitable habitat where one massasauga was found. This probably refers to the wet habitats preferred by the eastern and western subspecies. Populations in southern Michigan are typically associated with open wetlands, particularly prairie fens, while those in northern Michigan are known from open wetlands and lowland coniferous forests, such as cedar swamps. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Threats and Management. June 2011, Learning to Live with the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake: Expanding Outreach and Education in Southern Michigan Dec. 31, 2009. A Species Survival Plan® is a collaborative science-based management program of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). We have information indicating that 267 of the historical populations still exist today. In late 2016, the U.S. The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (EMR) is listed as a threatened species under the U.S. July 26, 2005, A Handbook for Land Managers (PDF A rattle is present at the tip of the tail. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. They have been reported to reproduce both annually and biennially in different parts of their range. Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ontario, 60-second Snakes: Eastern Masasauga Rattlesnake. Massasaugas usually hibernate in wetlands in crayfish or small mammal burrows. 5600 American Blvd. The body is gray. Field Office, Eastern Massasauga - Michigan Society of Herpetologists. These habitats are used by massasaugas from early fall to late spring. In many areas massasaugas also use adjacent uplands during part of the year. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Fish & Wildlife Service ECOS Environmental Conservation Online System The eastern massasauga may be found in the northern two-thirds of Illinois. Eastern Massasauga, Photo Courtesy of Nicholas Smeenk. Natural Habitat. Hibernation sites are located below the frost line, often close to groundwater level. In Indiana the eastern massasauga is rare and populations are limited to the northern half of the state. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (, Species Midwest Region The eastern massasauga may take shelter in crayfish burrows or other underground cavities. The draining and dredging of wetlands is the primary cause of the habitat loss. The word "massasauga" comes from the Chippewa language meaning "great river mouth." Live and Let Live - Oakland County, Michigan Blog, Species We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public. Its occurrence in Minnesota is based on a few reliable sightings in the southeast part of the state, and one specimen whose collection location is questionable. The southwestern portion of the snake’s range will see the most severe declines with a predicted 97 percent loss of historical populations over the next 50 years. Throughout its range, biologists have confirmed that less than half of the eastern massasauga’s historical populations still exist. mowing, prescribed fire) to maintain these conditions. The female gives birth to four to 20 young in August or September, the number depending on her size and age. The eastern massasauga was first listed as a candidate species in 1982. August 2006, Final Environmental Assessment for Eastern Massasauga Candidate Conservation Agreements in the Midwest. U.S. The dramatic decline of the eastern massasauga is alarming. The rattle is developed as the skin is shed. The eastern massasauga has been declining over the past three decades due to loss and fragmentation of its wetland habitat. The pupil of each eye is vertically elliptical. There are a number of signs posted on the grounds to alert guests to the potential presence of the rattlesnakes. It may be seen basking on grass, near crayfish burrows or in other open locations. They often hibernate in crayfish burrows but may also be found under logs and tree roots or in small mammal burrows. Eastern massasauga (EMR) are an early successional species requiring habitat management practices (i.e. This snake is active in the day, except in the hottest summer months when it becomes nocturnal. The eastern massasauga may be found in the northern two-thirds of Illinois. 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