Reported 11 months ago
During an annual snake survey in Ohio, a wildlife officer found an eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, a rare and threatened species in the state. The small, thick-bodied snakes with heart-shaped heads and vertical pupils have been declining in numbers due to extensive farming, with only nine counties having reported sightings since 1976. Despite having a potentially lethal venom, they are not aggressive and primarily feed on small rodents, frogs, and other snakes. The discovery highlights the importance of conserving this species, which is considered threatened under the Endangered Species Act and is one of only three venomous snakes in Ohio.
Source: YAHOO