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

The massasauga is the rattlesnake occasionally found in the swamps from western New York to Nebraska, but it is rare.

From Project Gutenberg

One found at another locality had apparently hibernated in company with a massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus).

From Project Gutenberg

The Massasauga is one of the smaller rattlesnakes, averaging about two feet in length.

From Project Gutenberg

The other occurs from Ohio to Nebraska, where it is called massasauga.

From Project Gutenberg