• Source: Sistrurus tergeminus edwardsii

Sistrurus tergeminus edwardsii, also known as the desert massasauga, is a subspecies of venomous pit viper in the family Viperidae. The subspecies is endemic to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico. In places, its range overlaps that of S. t. tergeminus, and intergrading of the two subspecies is known.




Etymology


The subspecific name, edwardsii, is in honor of Colonel Dr. Lewis A. Edwards (1824–1877), a U.S. Army surgeon, who collected the type specimen.
Common names include desert massasauga, Edward's massasauga, Edward's rattlesnake.




Description



S. t. edwardsii is more slender and smaller than S. t. tergeminus, reaching a maximum total length (including tail) of 53 cm (21 in).
Its color pattern consists of a light gray or white base color, with dark gray or gray-brown blotches. It has a distinctive, dark stripe that runs along the side of the head, which passes over the eye. The rattle is significantly higher pitched than those of larger species of rattlesnakes, sometimes giving it the nickname "buzztail".
Compared to S. t. tergeminus, it is paler in color, and its belly is nearly white. Midbody, it has 23 rows of dorsal scales instead of 25, and fewer ventral scales and dorsal blotches.




Distribution


S. t. edwardsii is found in extreme southeastern Arizona, central and southern New Mexico, West Texas about as far north and east as the Colorado River, in the Rio Grande Valley, in many of the Gulf Coast counties about as far north as Brazoria, and on several barrier islands including North Padre Island, Matagorda Island, and San José Island. In addition, isolated populations have been reported in northeastern Mexico. The type locality is listed as "Tamaulipas ... S. Bank of Rio Grande ... Sonora".




Habitat


S. t. edwardsii is primarily found in rocky, semiarid, and arid areas. According to Conant (1975), it is mostly found in desert grasslands.




Behavior


This subspecies is primarily nocturnal, especially during the summer, when the weather is too hot for it to be active, but it can sometimes be found basking.




Feeding


The diet of S. t. edwardsii consists primarily of rodents, lizards, and frogs.




Venom


Drop for drop, massasauga venom is more potent than that of many larger species of rattlesnakes, but due to the lower yield (the amount it is capable of delivering in a single bite), its potential for harm is greatly reduced. It is not considered to be deadly, but the venom is a powerful cytotoxic venom that can cause swelling, necrosis, damage to the skin, and severe pain. Medical treatment should be sought immediately for any venomous snake bite. The antivenin CroFab, while not type-specific, can be used to treat severe envenomations from massasaugas.




Conservation status


The desert massasauga is listed as a species of concern in Colorado, due to its limited range in the state, and it is protected by Arizona state law. It is listed as a sensitive species by the United States Forest Service. NatureServe considers the subspecies Vulnerable.




References






Further reading






External links


Sistrurus tergeminus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed March 26, 2023.
Sistrurus catenatus edwardsii at California Reptiles and Amphibians. Accessed 25 August 2007.

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• Sistrurus tergeminus edwardsii
• Sistrurus tergeminus
• Eastern massasauga
• List of crotaline species and subspecies
• List of reptiles of Texas