Reptiles Magazine
A female from Canada and a male from Chicago were paired to ensure genetic diversity.
February 4, 2021
Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced February 3 the birth of seven eastern massasauga rattlesnakes (
Sistrurus catenatus), one of the smallest rattlesnakes in the United States. The snakes, which were born January 20, are federally listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. They are also listed as endangered by the state.
The parents of the seven baby rattlers were paired as part of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Species Survival Plan (SSP), which works to ensure genetic diversity of this species to help bolster its survival. The male came from Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo in 2018 and the female was brought in from Canada’s Toronto Zoo. Each of the seven babies have already eaten and had their first shed.