Eastern Massasauga Overwintering Habitat

Like most animals, the eastern massasauga (Sistrurus c. catenatus) must find suitable habitat to endure harsh winter conditions. Unable to migrate to warmer climates, it must use what is available in its immediate surroundings.

Throughout the midwest and western Pennsylvania, S. c. catenatus takes advantage of water and mud burrows excavated by terrestrial crayfish for winter refuge. People usually associate snake “dens” with cavernous openings in the earth whereupon dozens, even hundreds of snakes aggregate during the colder months. This might be true for some species; however, many snake species hibernate individually or with one or two other individuals.

The eastern massasauga hibernates individually but has been known to share its burrow with other snake species including the eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis), northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), black racer (Coluber constrictor) and northern brown snake (Storeria dekayi). Other sources of refugia include the root systems of trees, cracks in building foundations and broken tiles used in draining agricultural fields. The eastern massasauga does not hibernate in the sense of going into deep sleep, but instead shuttles up and down the neck of the burrow to maintain a body temperature slightly above freezing. Massasaugas typically hibernate from mid-October through early April in Pennsylvania.

The eastern massasauga is a state endangered species and a candidate for federal listing under the US Endangered Species Act. Currently, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is conducting two studies on the eastern massasauga: One to examine its current range, and the second using radio telemetry to track individual snakes and to learn specific information on which conservation and management recommendations can be based.

Today's photo was taken by WPC Natural Heritage Program Endangered Species Biologist Ben Jellen.

Listen to the massasauga rattlesnake. Hear audio as the Pittsburgh Post Gazette's Doug Oster and WPC's Ben Jellen visit to Jennings Environmental Center last May and discover a massasauga rattlesnake.

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