Michigan's only venomous snake is a rare sight for most state
residents. Historically, they could be found in a variety of
wetlands and nearby upland woods throughout the lower peninsula.
During the late spring, these snakes move from their winter
hibernation sites, such as crayfish chimneys and other small mammal
burrows in swamps and marshlands, to hunt on the drier upland sites
- likely in search of mice and voles, their favorite food.
The massasauga can be characterized as a shy, sluggish snake.
Its thick body is colored with a pattern of dark brown slightly
rectangular patches set against a light gray-to-brown background.
Occasionally, this coloration can be so dark as to appear almost
black. The belly is mostly black. It is the only Michigan snake
with segmented rattles on the end of its tail and elliptical, ("cat
like") vertical pupils in the eyes. The neck is narrow, contrasting
with the wide head and body and the head appears triangular in
shape. Adult length is 2 to 3 feet.
These rattlesnakes avoid confrontation with humans; they are not
prone to strike - preferring to leave the area when they are
threatened. Like any animal though, these snakes will protect
themselves from anything they see as a potential predator. Their
short fangs can easily puncture skin and they do possess a potent
venom. It is best to treat them with respect and leave them alone.
The few bites that occur to humans often result from attempts to
handle or kill the snakes. Any bite from a massasauga should
receive prompt professional medical attention. When compared to
other rattlesnakes found in the United States, the massasauga is
the smallest and has the least toxic venom.
Massasaugas are found throughout the Lower Peninsula, but not in
the Upper Peninsula (thus there are no poisonous snakes on the
Upper Peninsula mainland.) They are becoming rare in many parts of
their former range, throughout the Great Lakes area, due to wetland
habitat loss and persecution by humans. They are listed as a
"species of special concern" by the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources, and are protected by state law.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently evaluating the
Great Lakes population to determine whether it should be listed as
a threatened species. In Michigan, it remains an important part of
our natural history.
