There are many types of snakes that can slither into Canadian backyards, but while they may all terrify you, most aren't going to hurt you. The one exception to this rule is the massassauga rattlesnake, the
There are many types of snakes that can slither into Canadian backyards, but while they may all terrify you, most aren't going to hurt you. The one exception to this rule is the massassauga rattlesnake, the only venomous snake in Ontario. Here are six things you need to know about this dangerous snake.
What do they look like?
Massassauga rattlesnakes are fairly small. Adult snakes can be anywhere between 50 and 80 centimetres long, but their bodies are thick and heavy which can make them look more menacing. Their heads are diamond-shaped and their eyes have vertical pupils, unlike other types of Canadian snakes.
There are lots of snakes that imitate the massasauga rattlesnake, like eastern milksnakes, fox snakes, and eastern hognose snakes. The way that you tell them apart is by looking at their tail. Massassauga rattlesnakes have a rattle on the end of their tails, while the lookalike snakes do not.
Where do you find them?
Massasauga rattlesnakes have a very limited range within Canada; they're only found in some parts of Ontario. Historically, they have been seen throughout southern, southwestern, and central Ontario, but now, their range is much smaller. This is because human settlements have expanded and pushed the snakes out of their habitat; also, because people are scared of these snakes and kill them.
Currently, most massassauga rattlesnake sightings are reported in the counties that surround Georgian Bay. The counties of Parry