PACKET & TIMES (Orillia, Ontario) 16 August 08 Rattlesnake quiet, shy creature of habit (Jodie Churilla, Kids For Turtles Environmental Education)

Throughout history snakes have been viewed as an important symbol for many civilizations. How a snake was perceived depended a lot on the culture.

Some thought of snakes as guardians, healers and rejuvenators, while others viewed them as deceitful, vengeful, poisonous and vindictive.

With negative imagery like that, it's no wonder many snakes are persecuted by people who come across them.

In the case of the eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, the circumstances are even worse. Known as the only venomous snake in Ontario, many people would view the animal as dangerous and kill it as a form of protection.

In reality, the Massasuaga rattlesnake is actually quiet and shy, and would rather hide than engage in confrontation. A person could be living with the snake for years before they even see it.

The snake's ability to hide is accomplished with the use of its brownish grey colouring, and bow-tie shaped blotches on its back.

This allows the snake to disappear in ground cover. It will only strike if it feels threatened enough, and even then it has a relatively short striking distance.

If a snake bite occurs, it is important not to panic. The snake uses its venom to aid in catching prey.

Therefore, if the snake is striking in self-defence, it may not release its venom at all. Approximately 25 per cent of bites do not result in the injection of venom.

It is important that if you are bit, that you stay calm and seek medical attention immediately.

These snake bites are very rarely life-threatening to humans.

You can avoid a snake strike by alerting friends and neighbours the animal is in the area, and to be mindful of it.

Most people think they are benefiting themselves and the animals by moving it off the property. Unfortunately, rattlers are a creature of habit so they will not change their routine to fit a new environment.

They will die trying to live out their old routine in an unsuitable area. In order for a snake to survive, it needs a very specific environment to carry out birthing and hibernation.

Gestation sites are areas where a female snake will go to incubate her young. These areas consist of a flat rock, vegetation and crevasses so the mother snake can regulate her temperature and hide from predators.

During the winter months, the Massasauga rattlesnake needs a specialized habitat called a hibernacula. This area is usually extremely moist, with excessive ground cover allowing the snake to hibernate without freezing to death.

These sites are very difficult to identify or recreate artificially.

If it is absolutely necessary to relocate the snake, it is important not to move it more then 250 metres from the area it was found.

A property owner could also make a small snake habitat at the corner of the property away from human activity.

For more information on the eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, please contact Kids for Turtles, the Toronto Zoo, or Environment Canada.
Rattlesnake quiet, shy creature of habit

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