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Posted by Terry Cox on June 07, 2001 at 21:34:39:

Since I had good luck yesterday, and since it was breaking the 70*F. mark for the first time in weeks, I thought I'd try the massasauga spot again after work. I pulled in and walked the ridge above the ditch again, just like yesterday. As I went along I started thinking about prey that these rattlers might take, one of the things that might make it a good spot. On cue, a red-winged blackbird started squawking and flying at me. E. massasaugas like wet areas and would have no trouble hunting the ditch and it's cattails. They would eat baby birds, frogs, rodents, and other snakes, if found there.

Later I got to the old homestead and the tin. First piece of tin I flipped, "Yep, another massasauga." Second piece, didn't think there was anything. Then there was a slight movement...a milksnake, about three feet long. Couldn't believe I didn't see it at first. Third tin, you got it, another massasauga.

Well, I made a mistake when I said massas never go under tin, but that won't happen again. I'll be checking this pile a lot in the future.

Both rattlers today were neonates from last year. I think they had two segments, plus the button, on their rattles. I took some pictures and put them back amongst the tin. They were both kinda dark, with the shed coming on, so I hope the pics will turn out. I noticed there weren't any other snakes under the tin with them, and only the milk under another tin. These rattlers will eat other small snakes, like browns, red-bellies, and smooth green snakes. I think there's plenty of prey species for them at this location.

PS: The milksnake could very easily make prey of the baby rattlers, too. I wonder how much, if any, damage those milksnakes make on the massasauga population. Hmmmmmm??

That's all for now. TMC.

Follow Ups:

Attaboy, Terry, now you are acting like a herper. Or, maybe>> Jerry Feldner 06/08/01 (4)
- Re: Attaboy, Terry, can't waite to see the pictures. In southwest>>>>> Dan P. 06/09/01 (0)
- Yep, you're right, it's an act......> Terry Cox 06/09/01 (2)
  - Hey Terry, was your guide written over in St Olaf? LOL N/P Karl H. Betz 06/09/01 (1)
    - Not the whole thing, but my wife went to school there, and did ...> Terry Cox 06/09/01 (0)

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: Since I had good luck yesterday, and since it was breaking the 70*F. mark for the first time in weeks, I thought I'd try the massasauga spot again after work. I pulled in and walked the ridge above the ditch again, just like yesterday. As I went along I started thinking about prey that these rattlers might take, one of the things that might make it a good spot. On cue, a red-winged blackbird started squawking and flying at me. E. massasaugas like wet areas and would have no trouble hunting the ditch and it's cattails. They would eat baby birds, frogs, rodents, and other snakes, if found there. : Later I got to the old homestead and the tin. First piece of tin I flipped, "Yep, another massasauga." Second piece, didn't think there was anything. Then there was a slight movement...a milksnake, about three feet long. Couldn't believe I didn't see it at first. Third tin, you got it, another massasauga. : Well, I made a mistake when I said massas never go under tin, but that won't happen again. I'll be checking this pile a lot in the future. : Both rattlers today were neonates from last year. I think they had two segments, plus the button, on their rattles. I took some pictures and put them back amongst the tin. They were both kinda dark, with the shed coming on, so I hope the pics will turn out. I noticed there weren't any other snakes under the tin with them, and only the milk under another tin. These rattlers will eat other small snakes, like browns, red-bellies, and smooth green snakes. I think there's plenty of prey species for them at this location. : PS: The milksnake could very easily make prey of the baby rattlers, too. I wonder how much, if any, damage those milksnakes make on the massasauga population. Hmmmmmm?? : That's all for now. TMC.

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