massasauga

[mas-uh-saw-guh]

noun

1. a small rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus, ranging from the Great Lakes to the Mexican border.

massasauga

/ ˌmæsəˈsɔːɡə /

noun

1. a North American venomous snake, Sistrurus catenatus, that has a horny rattle at the end of the tail: family Crotalidae (pit vipers)

Word History and Origins

Origin of massasauga¹

First recorded in 1830–40; irregular after Missisauga River, Ontario, Canada

Word History and Origins

Origin of massasauga¹

C19: named after the Missisauga River, Ontario, Canada, where it was first found

Example Sentences

They then compared 90 of those sequences to sequenced genomes of 10 Western massasauga rattlesnakes, a common species with no limitations on breeding opportunities and large populations.

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The endangered eastern massasauga and the timber rattlesnake are the only venomous species native to Wisconsin.

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The other two species, also part of the pit viper family, are the timber rattlesnake and eastern massasauga.

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That was when he realized it was an Eastern massasauga rattlesnake, he told Michigan Live, based on its hiss, the shape of its head and its narrow neck.

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Pennsylvania is also home to a smaller venomous rattlesnake called the massasauga, which is rare and found in only a few western counties.

Read more on Washington Times