Desert Massasauga
Sistrurus tergeminus edwardsii
The smallest and most arid-adapted massasauga, found in dry grasslands and desert scrub of the southern plains.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.4-0.6 m (1.3-2 ft)
- Range
- Southwestern Great Plains, from Colorado and Kansas south through New Mexico and Texas into northern Mexico
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Overview
The Desert Massasauga is the westernmost and most drought-tolerant of the massasaugas, occupying arid grasslands and desert scrub of the southwestern Great Plains. It is usually treated as a subspecies of the Western Massasauga, and is small and pale, blending well into sandy or gravelly soils.
Like other massasaugas it retains nine large head scales, distinguishing the genus Sistrurus from the larger rattlesnakes of genus Crotalus.
How to identify it
- Pale gray or tan body with faded brown blotches, often less contrasting than other massasaugas
- Small overall size, typically under 60 cm
- Nine enlarged head scales
- Faint, high-pitched rattle
- Distinguished from Western Massasauga by paler coloring and more arid range
Habitat & range
Occupies short-grass prairie, desert grassland, and scrubland, often on sandy or gravelly soils. Found at moderate elevations across the southern Great Plains, using rodent burrows for shelter during extreme heat and winter dormancy.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Mostly crepuscular and nocturnal in hot weather, more diurnal in cooler months. Feeds on lizards and small rodents. Docile and secretive, preferring to remain hidden rather than confront threats. Bears live young in late summer.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called the Desert Massasauga?
It occupies the driest, most arid grassland and desert scrub habitats among the massasaugas.
Is it dangerous to humans?
It is venomous but small and shy, rarely encountered and not prone to biting unless provoked.
How big does it get?
It is quite small, usually less than 60 cm in length.
What does it eat?
Mostly lizards and small rodents.
Desert Massasauga guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Desert Massasauga.
