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.

From Science Daily

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

From Washington Times

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

From Fox News

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.

From Fox News

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

From Washington Times