Nature Notebook
The recent “warm” wave afforded a rare opportunity: the sighting of a Massasauga rattlesnake. Smaller than an adult’s length of two feet, it was most likely a juvenile.
The blotchy coloration is similar to a young rat snake. However, there was no mistaking the presence of the tiny rattle. The little guy was probably trying to get in one last sunbath before entering his hibernaculum (formerly a crayfish or rodent burrow). If he survives, he will return to this spot year after year.
