The Missasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) is native to Southern Ontario but has not been identified in Long Point Country in some time. Pockets of this species still exist on the shores of the St. Clair River. It is because of the stigma a venomous snake has on humans who live within its habitat, that creates the demise for this rare snake.
Rattlesnakes are members of the pit viper family. The pit vipers range in total length from 38 cm (15 in) to 1.5 m (5 ft). All
species in this family possess venom glands that produce a venom with two distinct poisons. The first contains a heart-lung
depressant, while the second includes a tissue-disintegrating agent. Rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, that is, the young hatch
from eggs inside the female. Rattlesnakes have a rattle-like structure at the tip of their tail, which is shaken when the snake is
threatened or about to strike.
Dorling Kindersley/BBC Natural History Sound Library. All rights reserved.
