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Sistrurus
Western Massasauga, Sistrurus catenatus tergeminus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Viperidae
Subfamily:	Crotalinae
Genus:	Sistrurus Garman, 1883

Sistrurus is a genus of small, venomous rattlesnakes commonly known as massasaugas and pigmy rattlesnakes. This group, which includes three species, is native to the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Description

Sistrurus species differ from the larger rattlesnakes of the genus Crotalus in a number of ways. They are smaller in size, but also their scalation is different: Sistrurus species have nine large head plates (same as Agkistrodon), whereas with Crotalus (and almost all other viperids) the head is covered with a large number of smaller scales. Sistrurus species have a relatively small rattle that produces more of a high-pitched, buzzing sound than a rattle, like Crotalus.

Venom

Although bites from Sistrurus species are regarded as less dangerous to humans, primarily due to the lower venom yield, every venomous snake bite should be considered serious and prompt medical treatment should always be sought.

Species

*) Not including the nominotype (typical form).

See also

• Rattlesnake
• List of rattlesnake species and subspecies
• Snakebite

External links

• Genus Sistrurus at The Reptile Database
• Sistrurus at Herpbreeder.com. Accessed 26 September 2006.

• Rattlesnakes
• Fauna of Mexico
• Fauna of Canada
• Fauna of the United States