massasauga

noun

mas·​sa·​sau·​ga ˌma-sə-ˈsȯ-gə How to pronounce massasauga (audio)
: a small North American rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus)

Examples of massasauga in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The massasauga located by Rathman was clearly in choice habitat. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2022 This was the object of our quest: an eastern massasauga rattlesnake. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2022 In fact the Badger State has two native rattlesnakes, the eastern massasauga and the timber rattlesnake. Paul A. Smith, Journal Sentinel, 14 Aug. 2022 Copperheads, timber rattlesnakes and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are the three species of venomous snakes in Pennsylvania, according to the Fish and Boat Commission. Jordan Culver, USA TODAY, 19 June 2019 The other two species, also part of the pit viper family, are the timber rattlesnake and eastern massasauga. Fox News, 19 June 2019 Pennsylvania is also home to a smaller venomous rattlesnake called the massasauga, which is rare and found in only a few western counties. Jason Nark, Philly.com, 20 June 2018 The app includes forms for reporting observations on: Diseased wildlife Tagged fish Mammals such as cougars and feral swine Fish such as sturgeon Birds such as wild turkeys Reptiles and amphibians such as eastern massasauga rattlesnakes. Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, 8 Aug. 2017 Jennifer Moore and her research team at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings, Michigan, are creating a longer-term data set to examine the implication of the disease on eastern massasauga rattlesnakes. Hannah Lang, National Geographic, 12 June 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'massasauga.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Missisauga River, Ontario, Canada

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of massasauga was in 1835

Dictionary Entries Near massasauga

Cite this Entry

“Massasauga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/massasauga. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

massasauga

noun
mas·​sa·​sau·​ga ˌmas-ə-ˈsȯ-gə How to pronounce massasauga (audio)
: a small North American rattlesnake

Medical Definition

massasauga

noun
mas·​sa·​sau·​ga ˌmas-ə-ˈsȯg-ə How to pronounce massasauga (audio)
: a medium-sized rattlesnake of the genus Sistrurus (S. catenatus) that has nine large scales on the head, grows to a length of about 18 to 39 inches (46 to 100 centimeters), and is distributed from southern Ontario across the central United States to northeastern New Mexico and southeastern Arizona

More from Merriam-Webster on massasauga

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!