The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake: - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

site accounted for nearly 28 percent of all Wisconsin massasauga records during the 1980's (Hay
et al. 1993). In 1989, all water impoundments were drained to replace the water control
structures and were allowed to refill in the fall. A severe drought that year, however, prevented
full pool recovery, leaving the adjacent wetland much drier throughout the winter. Despite
intensive survey efforts, massasaugas have not been seen on the property since 1989.
Altering vegetative composition and structure can be avoided by preventing permanent
water level manipulations. The effects of already permanently-lowered water tables may be
reversed through wetland restoration. In restoring suitable wetland habitat, it is important to
moderate the change in water levels both in vertical depth and horizontal extent. This allows
massasaugas and other species to respond to such changes (Dunn 1999). Ideally, it is best to
restore the “natural” water regime including levels and fluctuations but, at a minimum, reestablishing
a high and dependable water table is essential.
Finally, if new impoundments or similar water control structures are necessary, it is
advisable to select areas of poor quality (in terms of massasauga habitat) or areas near the
periphery of occupied habitat.
Mowing, Disking & Prescribed Burning. At many prairie sites, mowing of some habitats
(dike roads, old fields adjacent to prairies, occasionally the prairie itself) is practiced routinely.
In addition, disking of prairies and old field habitats may be necessary for control of invasive
species such as reed canary grass. Although we recognize that such practices may be important
for wildlife management activities and in maintenance of prairie habitats, these activities have
been known to impact massasaugas (and other snakes) through direct mortality (G. Johnson pers.
comm., R. Seigel pers. observ.). Thus, managers should reach a balance between the need for
these management practices and the possible negative effects on massasaugas and other species.
Preventive measures that can reduce or eliminate mortality from mowing and disking include the
following:
a) Raise mowers so that the vegetation is cut no lower than 4-6" above the ground. This
will miss most massasaugas and other snakes.
b) Mow during periods when snakes are less active, preferably before snakes become
active in the spring or after activity has ceased in the fall. Check with locally
knowledgeable species experts for temporal information within your area (see Appendix
B).
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