Massasauga Rattlesnake Research

[Colin Vestrand]

well, as some of you know, i recently had the pleasure of going out in the field to help with a research project that basically has to do with the effects of prescribed burns on massasauga populations. in case you aren't familiar with the eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus), they are a small rattlesnake that inhabits wetlands in the upper great lakes region and they've been on the decline for quite some time. i'd be happy to go more into detail if anyone wants, but since we're all visually oriented i'll just get some pictures up for now.

matt tubing one of the males:


one of the females:


yes, they are hard to spot!


and live in some crazy places!


all in all, it was some very hard work. but i loved every minute of it and will be going back out as soon as i can... thanks for looking.

and one more pic, this guy was crossing the road as we were leaving:

[xdeus]

Nice pics! Thanks for sharing.

[Patrick Long]

damn that looks like it was a trek and a half. Was it all through the crazy brush like that?

[dsirkle]

This may seem a stupid question but what signal were you tracking with that antenna? Surely the snakes aren't wearing collars.

[Patrick Long]

Pit tagged?

[dsirkle]

damn that looks like it was a trek and a half. Was it all through the crazy brush like that?

A Yeti could stand among the cat tails and blend right in.

[Colin Vestrand]

thanks guys. honestly, yes - most of the terrain was that rough. the one site had been burned this year so most of that was pretty easy. the rest was poison sumac and dense brush.
anyway, the animals we were radio tracking were ones that matt had found earlier last month. they've been fitted with surgically implanted radio transmitters about the width of a AAA battery and about half as long. they don't harm the snakes and will be removed before the end of the summer.

[joepythons]

Looks like a cool day

[littleindiangirl]

This may seem a stupid question but what signal were you tracking with that antenna? Surely the snakes aren't wearing collars.

Oh you silly!

From the people who brought you the infamous snake leash


They also offer the brand new snake collar! For those times when you need to track your lost snake!



All images copyright D.S. Boys Company LLC

[dsirkle]

thanks guys. honestly, yes - most of the terrain was that rough. the one site had been burned this year so most of that was pretty easy. the rest was poison sumac and dense brush.
anyway, the animals we were radio tracking were ones that matt had found earlier last month. they've been fitted with surgically implanted radio transmitters about the width of a AAA battery and about half as long. they don't harm the snakes and will be removed before the end of the summer.

I had no idea that transmitters are implanted in snakes like that. Of course everyone is familiar with radio collars and ear tags on mammals. That is interesting to learn.