Michigan Herps

It had been a humid and hot day in Southeast Michigan, with temperatures climbing into the mid 90s herp activity was limited to the morning and evening hours where cooler temperatures existed. With evening temperatures finally cooling, I headed out to my local herping spot to try and see if anything was out and about.  Only a week earlier, I had encountered my first Eastern Massasauga of the year with some friends while golfing at a local course. That snake was found near open prairie and away from its normal wetland home, so I knew that peak summer activity for Massasaugas was going on. So for my first stop, I checked some upland prairie that the rattlesnakes during the peak mating activity months.

Upland Prairie

It didn't take long for me to spot the first herp of the evening. I was checking the very edge of the tree line when I came across this Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) in situ.

Garter in situ

Eastern Garter Snake

After spending a few minutes photographing this nice little snake, we parted ways. I continued to search the prairies for any sign of snakes, especially rattlers. After a good forty-five minutes, I decided to try something else. But, on my way out of the prairie I did spot this nice looking Garter basking on a manmade concrete brick wall.

Basking Eastern Garter

I decided to try walking a service drive nearby that intersects prairie and fen habitat. I knew that Massasaugas had been seen in that area, so I figured it was worth a shot since the prairies had yielded only a few Eastern Garter Snakes.

Fen Habitat

The habitat is ideal for rattlesnakes, I just hoped I would get the opportunity to see one. My wishes were granted as I turned a corner and saw this beauty making her way from the fen towards the prairie.

I was overjoyed, but she was on the move so I needed to stop her momentarily. I walked in front of her path, and she coiled and gave me a signature rattlesnake greeting.

Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

This was the largest Massasauga I've encountered, she was long and she was also gravid (pregnant) as shown above. I estimated the length of this rattlesnake at just over 30 inches, due to the fact that I've seem plenty of 24-26 inch specimens and she dwarfed them in comparison.

Up Close & Personal with an Adult Massasauga

Not only was she the largest Sauga I've seen, but she was also the most beautifully patterned individual I've seen. The contrast bewtween her tan background and dark blotches was just amazing. I spent a good half hour or more photographing this beauty before letting her on her way, it was a great field experience.

An Adult Female Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

Species Observed:

• American Toad
• Green Frog
• Eastern Painted Turtle
• Eastern Garter Snake
• Dekay's Brown Snake
• Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

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