~Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake~
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
Sistrurus catenatus catenatus
The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is Michigan's ONLY venomous snake. Look for the Massasauga only in the Lower Peninsula for there are no records of this snake from the Upper Peninsula.
This small and shy rattlesnake is found in or around wetland areas such as marshes, bogs, fens and swamps. Populations of the snake are locally abundant in some areas of the Lower Peninsula, but rare or absent in much of the state.
Bites to people are uncommon and no human fatalaties (that we are aware of) have ocurred in Michigan.