There are 18 snake species in Michigan; of these, there is only 1 venomous Snake. The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in Michigan.
Pit Vipers
Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths belong to the venomous Viperidae or pit viper family. Another name for these snakes is pit vipers. Pit vipers have heat-sensing pits between their nostrils and eyes. These pits are actually specialized organs that detect infrared radiation from prey animals. Pit organs enable pit vipers to strike their prey precisely, even in the dark. They are also able to detect body heat from about 1 meter away.
These snakes also have spade-shaped heads. Furthermore, they have elliptical pupils that are vertical slits. This is a defining characteristic because a nonvenomous snake generally has round pupils.
Pit vipers have hollow fangs connected to venom glands. They use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. This venom immobilizes the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume. They primarily consume small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds. These snakes play an important role in maintaining balance in rodent populations.
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name: | Sistrurus catenatus |
| Description: | Adult Eastern Massasaugas average 22 to 30 inches (55 to 75cm) long. Their body is light grey with dark brown blotches. |
| Habitat: | Wet habitats such as swamps or marshy areas near lakes or streams. |
| Conservation Status: | Species of special concern in Michigan. |
Eastern Massasaugas are sometimes called swamp rattlers. They are one of two rattlesnake species native to the Great Lakes states. The other is the Timber Rattlesnake.
An adult Massasauga rattlesnake grows to a length between 22 to 30 inches (55 to 75cm). Some individuals may exceed this length.
Their body is a light gray with dark blotches along the spine and along the sides. They also have a dark stripe on each side of their face and across their eye and a white stripe on their heads. Some melanistic snakes are almost entirely black in color.
The Eastern Fox Snake and Eastern Milk Snake are non-venomous snakes in the Great Lakes region. Both have similar color patterns to the Eastern Massasauga. Also, the mildly venomous Eastern Hog-Nosed Snake is variable in appearance. Some Eastern Hog-Nosed snakes look a lot like Massasaugas, though.
Massasaugas have a high-pitched rattle sound, which is different from other rattlesnakes. In fact, it’s more like the buzzing of an insect. This is why they have the nickname Buzz Tail.
Where Do Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes Live in Michigan?
Eastern Massasaugas are listed as threatened species under the Federal Endangered Species Act. This assesses the viability of the species in their entire range in the United States and Canada.
The Eastern Massasauga is native to the Great Lakes region. Michigan is one of the last strongholds for the Eastern Massasauga. The state has more Eastern Massasaugas than any other state or province in the species’ range.
Their population is declining in Michigan, too, though. Even in the Wolverine State, they are a species of special concern. A chief cause of their decline is habitat loss and fragmentation of critical habitat.
There’s also a fungal disease called ophidiomycosis. It’s a threat to Eastern Massasaugas throughout their range. This disease has a mortality rate of greater than 90% in infected individuals. Source
Eastern Massasaugas are native to every county in the lower peninsula of Michigan. But they have never been found on the mainland of the Upper Peninsula. However, they inhabit parts of Bois Blanc Island in Mackinac County. This is according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
In the spring and fall, Eastern Massasaugas prefer a variety of wetland habitats. In southern Michigan they gravitate to prairie fen environments. Further to the north, they are most apt to be found in lowland wooded areas such as cedar swamps.
During the summer, these snakes generally move to higher ground where it’s drier. You might find them in forest openings or the grassy areas between farm fields.
They return to areas with year-round wetlands in the fall before entering brumination.
Wintertime Brumation
Snakes do not tolerate cold winters very well. They are ectotherms, which means they cannot regulate their body temperature internally. Physiologically, ectotherms cannot hibernate. Yet, they go into a state of suspended animation called brumation for up to 6 months out of the year.
Some snakes spend the winter in communal dens. Eastern Massasaugas do not. These snakes spend the winter alone or in groups of two or three. They use places such as burrows of small animals or crayfish as hibernacula over the winter.
Only about 70% of adults and 38% of neonate Eastern Massasaugas survive from year to year. Many of the mortalities that occur take place over the winter. Source
Studies have also shown that these snakes have a strong site affinity. They tend to overwinter in the same spot every year. These studies suggest that relocated massasaugas often struggle to survive winter. This is because they have a hard time selecting a new denning site.
Protecting Michigan’s Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes
The John Ball Zoo of Grand Rapids actively supports Eastern Massasauga conservation. They do this through field studies and a captive breeding program.
They are involved in a long-term Eastern Massasauga monitoring program. Their partners in this project are other zoos, the Michigan DNR, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Every spring, teams head into Michigan’s wet prairies to tag Eastern Massasaugas. To date, they have tagged over 400 snakes. Tagging these snakes gives researchers a window into their habits and movements.
The zoo is also partnered in a study with Sarett Nature Center at Benton Harbor. This study aims to chart the movements of Eastern Massasaugas on the Sarett property.
John Ball Zoo is also engaged in conservation projects of other prairie fen species. These include the Spotted Turtle and the Mitchell’s Satyr Butterfly.
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Behavior
Eastern Massasaugas are shy, timid snakes. They prefer to lie motionless in tall grass or leaf litter and let you pass by. If you approach too closely, they’ll attempt to escape to deeper cover if they’re not cornered.
The rattle of a massasauga is different from other rattlesnakes. It’s high-pitched and sounds more like the buzzing of a bee than a snake’s rattle.
If you come upon an eastern Massasauga too suddenly, it may bite you without rattling.
What Do Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes Eat?
An Eastern Massasauga’s primary prey is small mammals such as mice and voles. They also eat frogs, toads, and small snakes.
How Dangerous Are Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes?
Eastern Massasaugas are generally docile and slow-moving unless they are provoked.
The venom of the Massasauga rattlesnake is cytotoxic. Cytotoxic venom destroys body tissue. Moreover, digestive enzymes in cytotoxic venom disrupt blood flow and prevent clotting. Massasauga bites to humans are rare. However, they do occur and are potentially fatal.
There are two documented deaths in Ontario from Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake bites. In each case, the victim did not receive antivenom in time. Source
Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites
Some of the symptoms you may experience when a venomous snake bites you include:
- Discoloration in the area of the bite.
- Swelling in the area of the bite.
- Loss of muscle coordination.
- Tingling sensation in the area of the bite.
- Feeling nauseous.
- Having a faster heartbeat or rapid pulse.
What Should You Do if You Are Bitten?
If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. Because the sooner a victim receives antivenom, the less chance the venom in their body has to cause harm. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical treatment.
Do not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes. This gives the snake a chance to bite you again. Also, consider that severed snakeheads can still bite and envenomate and often do. If you have a phone, take a picture of the offending reptile. Otherwise, get started on your way to the nearest hospital.
First Aid for Snake Bite Victims
- Remain calm and limit your movements. Do not run. If you must hike back to a vehicle, do it calmly and deliberately. Put as little stress on your heart as possible.
- Keep the area of the snake bite below the heart level and never above the heart level. Keeping the bite below the heart level will reduce the venom’s flow. However, holding the bite above your heart level will increase the venom’s flow.
- Remove all constricting items such as bracelets, watches, or rings before swelling occurs.
- Remember that using a cold compress on a venomous snake bite is not advisable. The cold may cause the local blood vessels to constrict and spread the venom faster.
- You can wash the affected area like any other wound with soap and water.
- You may cover the bite area with a moist dressing to reduce the swelling.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. Call the hospital to tell them a venomous snake has bitten you. So they can have antivenom ready to give you when you arrive.
- A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.
Dressing for Snake Country
- High-top leather boots and long pants are both wise ideas.
- Also, wear loose-fitting denim. If there’s a gap before the snake’s fangs touch your skin, your chances of being envenomated are lower.
- In the absence of high-top leather boots, some people wear snake gaiters.
