Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake – Cedar Bog – Ohio
An Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake, seen the Cedar Bog nature reservoir, north of Cincinnati, Ohio. This snake goes by a couple of different names, including Swamp Rattler and Black Snapper. It is a highly venmous snake, but smaller than the other two venomous snakes common to Ohio, the Northern Copperhead and the Timber Rattlesnake. Its is fairly rare, and typically inhabits, wetlands, bogs, and other marshy areas. In fact its name comes from the Chippewa Indians, and refers to the marshy areas commonly found at the mouth of a river. Its prey generally includes mice, shrews, voles, lizards, birds, frogs, crayfish and other snakes.