
Photo credit:
Frank Portillo
Common name
Western Massasauga Rattlesnake
Scientific name
Sistrurus tergeminus
Conservation Status
Overall population stable; genetically distinct populations at risk.
Federal and State Protections
Arizona Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Protected in Mexico under NOM-059-ECOL-2001.
Countries of Occurrence
United States of America
States or Providence
Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas
Counties
Arizona: Cochise
Adult size
Species Description
This small rattlesnake occurs in the American midwest in wet meadows, marshes, and woodlands. The diet of the western massasauga consists primarily of mammals but also snakes, lizards, birds, and frogs. This rattlesnake is state-threatened in Nebraska and Missouri but is not currently listed as federally threatened. Their mating season is April, May, and briefly after summer. Fun fact: As a juvenile, the western massasauga rattlesnake has a caudal lure on its tail which is a bright greenish-yellow. They more commonly use that lure to attract frogs, not lizards, as prey when they are babies! In contrast, the desert massasauga in the American southwest uses its lure for lizards, not frogs!