Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking for caresheets/tips on the keeping of Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus (western massasauga rattlesnakes). I would imagine they are cared for as I do other Sistrurus or Agkistrodons...thanks

If you want to go simple, you can keep them in racks designed for keeping venomous herps (or regular racks that have locking slide bars to keep the plastic boxes from sliding out). We have kept 'saugas for years in sweater boxes kept on a thermostatically controlled rack where the heat tape is set at around 88 deg F. The heat tape goes off for 6 hours during the night to create a natural night drop. We keep these snakes on newspaper and provide a small hide box and a bowl of water; very simple but effective.

For display, we create a much more natural set up using ESU jungle mix/sand/soil substrate with natural rock dens to hide in and shallow water bowls. Natural branches/logs are used for retreats which the snakes will use to sit in an ambush position. We heat these particular cages with radiant heat panels and use full spectrum fluorescent lights (more for the aesthetics).

Hope this helps.
Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
City of Lake Forest Parks & Recreation (IL)