Missouri Animals Massasauga rattlesnake   (Sistrurus catenatus) Chordate: Vertebrate: Reptile: Serpentia: Crotalidae (VENOMOUS) Native North American snake Habitat: prairie. Diet: mice, garter snakes, shrews. ID Features: checkerboard pattern from head to tail, dark bands from mouth to neck under the eyes. Natural History: The Massasauga is a medium-sized venomous snake found in northern Missouri..

The graphics and text are from: The Amphibians and Reptiles of Missouri by Tom R. Johnson, Missouri Department of Conservation, ©1992