Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus

Common names: western massasauga, ground rattlesnake, Gulf coast massasauga, ^[2] more.

Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus is a venomous pitviper subspecies^[3] found in the southwestern plains of the United States. In some areas its range overlaps that of another subspecies, S. c. edwardsii, and intergrading of the two is not unknown.

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Description

Adults range in size from 35 cm to 91 cm. The standard length for 43 male and 63 female adult specimens was 68 cm.^[2] Conant (1975) mentions an average length of 46-66 cm, with a maximum of 88.3 cm.^[4]

The color pattern is similar to that of S. c. catenatus, but paler: the dark brown blotches contrast strongly with the tan-gray or light gray ground color. The venter (belly) is light with a few dark markings.^[4]

Common names

Western massasauga, ground rattlesnake, Gulf coast massasauga, Edward's massasauga, large ground rattlesnake, pigmy rattlesnake, prairie rattlesnake, Say's false rattlesnake, Sonora ground rattlesnake, Texas massasauga, three-spotted shield rattler, triple-spotted rattlesnake.^[2]

Geographic range

Found in the United States in the southwestern plains from extreme southeastern Nebraska and northwestern Missouri, southwest through east-central Kansas and west-central Oklahoma into northern and central Texas about as far southwest as the Colorado River.^[5][6] The type locality given is "between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains."^[1]

Behavior

Primarily found in grassland areas, on the edge of open woodland, or on rocky hillsides, and often makes use of the burrows of other animals for shelter. They primarily eat rodents, but they may also eat lizards and frogs. Their rattles are significantly higher pitched than those of larger species of rattlesnake, sometimes giving them the nickname buzztail. They are primarily nocturnal, especially during the summer months when it is too hot for them to be active, but they will sometimes be found out sunning themselves. They are most often found immediately after rain storms.

Venom

Drop for drop, Massasauga venom is more potent than that of many larger species of rattlesnake, but due to the lower yield (the amount it is capable of delivering in a single bite) its potential for harm is greatly reduced. They are not considered to be deadly, but the venom is a powerful hemotoxin which can cause swelling, necrosis, and severe pain. Medical treatment should be sought immediately for any venomous snake bite. The antivenin CroFab, while not type specific, can be used to treat severe envenomations from Massasauga rattlesnakes.

See also

• List of crotaline species and subspecies
• Crotalinae by common name
• Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References