Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii

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Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii
Sistrurus-catenatus-edwardsii CDC-small.jpg
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Viperidae
Genus: Sistrurus
Species:
Subspecies:
S. c. edwardsii
Trinomial name
Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii
(Baird & Girard, 1853)
Synonyms [1]
  • Crotalophorus Edwardsii
    Baird & Girard, 1853
  • C[rotalus]. (Crotalophorus) miliarius var. Edwardsii
    Jan, 1863
  • Caudisona edwardsii
    Yarrow, 1875
  • [Sistrurus miliarius] Var. edwardsii
    Garman, 1884
  • Crotalophorus catenatus edwardsii
    Cope, 1892
  • Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii
    Stejneger, 1895
  • Sistrurus edwardsii
    Cockerell, 1896
  • Sistrurus catenatus var. edwardsii
    Ditmars, 1907
  • Sistrurus catenatus edwardsi
    Gloyd, 1955
  • Crotalus (Sistrurus) catenatus edwardsi
    Hoge, 1966
Common names: desert massasauga, [2] Edward's massasauga, [3] Edward's rattlesnake. [4]

Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii is a subspecies of venomous pit viper [5] in the family Viperidae. The subspecies is endemic to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. In places, its range overlaps that of S. c. tergeminus , and intergrading of the two subspecies is known.

Contents

Etymology

The subspecific name, edwardsii, is in honor of Colonel Dr. Lewis A. Edwards (1824–1877), a U.S. Army surgeon, [6] who collected the type specimen. [7]

Description

S. c. edwardsi pair in copula (mating) Desert massasaugas.jpg
S. c. edwardsi pair in copula (mating)

S. c. edwardsii is more slender and smaller than S. c. tergeminus, reaching a maximum total length (including tail) of 53 cm (21 in). [2]

Its color pattern consists of a light gray or white base color, with dark gray or gray-brown blotches. It has a distinctive, dark stripe that runs along the side of the head, which passes over the eye. The rattle is significantly higher pitched than those of larger species of rattlesnakes, sometimes giving it the nickname "buzztail".

Compared to S. c. tergeminus, it is paler in color, and its belly is nearly white. Midbody, it has 23 rows of dorsal scales instead of 25, and fewer ventral scales and dorsal blotches. [3]

Geographic range

S. c. edwardsii is found in extreme southeastern Arizona, central and southern New Mexico, West Texas about as far north and east as the Colorado River, in the Rio Grande Valley, in many of the Gulf Coast counties about as far north as Brazoria, and on several barrier islands including North Padre Island, Matagorda Island, and San José Island. In addition, isolated populations have been reported in northeastern Mexico. [3] [8] [9] The type locality is listed as "Tamaulipas ... S. Bank of Rio Grande ... Sonora". [1]

Habitat

S. c. edwardsii is primarily found in rocky, semiarid, and arid areas. According to Conant (1975), it is mostly found in desert grasslands. [2]

Behavior

This subspecies is primarily nocturnal, especially during the summer, when the weather is too hot for it to be active, but it can sometimes be found basking.

Feeding

The diet of S. c. edwardsii consists primarily of rodents, lizards, and frogs.

Venom

Drop for drop, massasauga venom is more potent than that of many larger species of rattlesnakes, but due to the lower yield (the amount it is capable of delivering in a single bite), its potential for harm is greatly reduced. It is not considered to be deadly, but the venom is a powerful cytotoxic venom that can cause swelling, necrosis, damage to the skin, and severe pain. Medical treatment should be sought immediately for any venomous snake bite. The antivenin CroFab, while not type-specific, can be used to treat severe envenomations from massasaugas.

Conservation status

The desert massasauga is listed as a species of concern in Colorado, due to its limited range in the state, and it is protected by Arizona state law. It is listed as a sensitive species by the United States Forest Service.

Related Research Articles

<i>Sistrurus</i> Genus of snakes

Sistrurus is a genus of venomous pit vipers in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The genus is endemic to Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Its generic name is a Latinized form of the Greek word for "tail rattler" and shares its root with the ancient Egyptian musical instrument, the sistrum, a type of rattle. Three species are currently recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Massasauga</span> Species of snake (rattlesnake; Sistrurus catenatus)

The massasauga is a rattlesnake species found in midwestern North America from southern Ontario to northern Mexico and parts of the United States in between. Like all rattlesnakes, it is a pit viper and is venomous.

<i>Crotalus scutulatus</i> Species of snake

Crotalus scutulatus is a highly venomous pit viper species found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and central Mexico. It is perhaps best known for its potent neurotoxic-hemotoxic venom, which is considered one of the world's most potent rattlesnake venoms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timber rattlesnake</span> Species of reptile

The timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake, or banded rattlesnake is a species of pit viper endemic to eastern North America. Like all other pit vipers, it is venomous, and this species is sometimes highly venomous. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous Northeastern United States and is second only to its relatives to the west, the prairie rattlesnake, as the most northerly distributed venomous snake in North America. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-tailed rattlesnake</span> Species of snake

The black-tailed rattlesnake is a venomous pit viper species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. Four subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Pantherophis gloydi</i> Species of snake

Pantherophis vulpinus, commonly known as the eastern foxsnake or eastern fox snake, is a species of rat snake in the family Colubridae. The species is nonvenomous and is endemic to the eastern Great Lakes region of the United States, as well as adjacent western Ontario in Canada. Pantherophis gloydi is sometimes considered a distinct species and sometimes considered a junior synonym of the species Pantherophis vulpinus.

<i>Crotalus basiliscus</i> Species of reptile

Crotalus basiliscus, known as the Mexican west coast rattlesnake, Mexican green rattler, and also by other names, is a species of pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to western Mexico. Like all other pit vipers, it is venomous. The specific name, basiliscus, is derived from the Greek word for king, βασιλισκος, and alludes to this snake's large size and potent venom. No subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Crotalus willardi</i> Species of snake

Crotalus willardi is a venomous pit viper species found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. This snake is found mainly in the "sky island" region. The IUCN reports this snake's conservation status as being of Least Concern. It is the official state reptile of Arizona.

<i>Crotalus viridis</i> Species of snake

Crotalus viridis is a venomous pit viper species native to the western United States, southwestern Canada, and northern Mexico. Currently, two subspecies are recognized, including the prairie rattlesnake, the nominate subspecies, and the Hopi rattlesnake.

<i>Sistrurus miliarius</i> Species of reptile

Sistrurus miliarius, commonly called the pygmy rattlesnake, is a species of venomous snake in the subfamily Crotalinae of the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to the Southeastern United States. Three subspecies are currently recognized.

<i>Crotalus viridis nuntius</i> Subspecies of snake

Crotalus viridis nuntius is a venomous pit viper subspecies native primarily to the desert plateau of the northeastern portion of the American state of Arizona, but also ranges into northwestern New Mexico. Named for the Native American Hopi tribe, which inhabits the region, its range overlaps that of the nominate subspecies and some interbreeding is believed to occur. The taxonomy of the C. viridis group is a matter of debate, many considering the various subspecies to be nothing more than locality variations.

<i>Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus</i> Subspecies of snake

Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus is a venomous pit viper subspecies found in the southwestern plains of the United States. In some areas its range overlaps that of another subspecies, S. c. edwardsii, and intergrading of the two is not unknown.

<i>Sistrurus miliarius barbouri</i> Subspecies of snake

Sistrurus miliarius barbouri is a venomous pit viper subspecies endemic to the southeastern United States.

<i>Crotalus simus</i> Species of snake

Crotalus simus is a venomous pit viper species found in Mexico and Central America. The specific epithet is Latin for "flat-nosed", likely because its head is blunt compared with lanceheads (Bothrops). Three subspecies are recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

<i>Crotalus oreganus</i> North American rattlesnake

Crotalus oreganus, commonly known as the (northern) Pacific rattlesnake, is a venomous pit viper species found in western North America from the Baja California Peninsula to the southern interior of British Columbia.

Edward's massasauga may refer to:

<i>Sistrurus miliarius streckeri</i> Subspecies of snake

Sistrurus miliarius streckeri is a venomous pit viper subspecies found in the southcentral United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiger rattlesnake</span> Species of snake

The tiger rattlesnake is a highly venomous pit viper species found in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. No subspecies are currently recognized. The specific name tigris,, refers to the many narrow dorsal crossbands, which create a pattern of vertical stripes when viewed from the side.

<i>Crotalus pricei</i> Species of snake

Crotalus pricei is a species of venomous snake, a pit viper in the family Viperidae. The species is endemic to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Two subspecies are recognized.

<i>Lampropeltis getula</i> Species of snake

Lampropeltis getula, commonly known as the eastern kingsnake, common kingsnake, or chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid species endemic to the United States and Mexico. It has long been a favorite among collectors. Nine subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.

References

  1. 1 2 McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré TA (1999). Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, Volume 1. Washington, District of Columbia: Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN   1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN   1-893777-01-4 (volume).
  2. 1 2 3 Conant R (1975). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. (First Edition published in 1958). Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. xviii + 429 pp + 48 plates. ISBN   0-395-19979-4 (hardcover), ISBN   0-395-19977-8 (paperback).
  3. 1 2 3 Wright AH, Wright AA (1957). Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Associates, a Division of Cornell University Press. (7th printing, 1985). 1,105 pp. ISBN   0-8014-0463-0.
  4. Ditmars RL (1933). Reptiles of the World. Revised Edition. New York: The MacMillan Company. 329 pp. 89 plates.
  5. "Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System . Retrieved 31 January 2007.
  6. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson; Michael (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN   978-1-4214-0135-5. (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii, p. 81).
  7. Baird & Girard (1853).
  8. Klauber LM (1997). Rattlesnakes: Their Habitats, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind. Second Edition. First published in 1956, 1972. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN   0-520-21056-5.
  9. Campbell JA, Lamar WW (2004). The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Ithaca and London: Comstock Publishing Associates. 870 pp. 1,500 plates. ISBN   0-8014-4141-2.

Further reading