Massasauga Rattlesnake Records Collected by the Wisconsin ...

Current Range

MASSASAUGA RATTLESNAKE RECORDS COLLECTED BY THE WISCONSIN HERPETOLOGICAL ATLAS PROJECT, 1986-1991 Gary S. Casper ABSTRACT

The known distribution of the massasauga rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus, in Wisconsin is summarized. Comparisons are made between Sistrurus distribution presented by Schorger (1967-68) Vogt (1981) and the Wisconsin Herp Atlas Project (1986-1991). Of 26 counties reported by Schorger (1967-68) to have Sistrurus present, only 14 have been confirmed by specimen examination to date. Vogt (1981) reported Sistrurus from 12 counties, two of which the Herp Atlas has not confirmed to date. The Herp Atlas has, however, added six counties to those confirmed by Vogt (1981). The Herp Atlas data provides numerous opportunities for targeting survey work to define the current status and distribution of this species in Wisconsin at the levels of resolution necessary for effective management, research and recovery. Recent records indicate that at least seven counties have extant Sistrurus populations in Wisconsin, with as many as 15 counties having potential for Sistrurus presence. INTRODUCTION

The Wisconsin Herpetological Atlas Project was initiated in 1986, with the goal of mapping the distribution of all Wisconsin species of amphibians and reptiles. A computerized database is being developed for use in mapping research and conservation. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus catenatus, is one species for which data are being collected. This paper summarizes data collected for this species to date. Schorger (1967-68) was the first to review Sistrurus occurrence in Wisconsin. Schorger (1967-68) reported Sistrurus records for 26 counties: Buffalo, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Dunn, Fond du Lac, Green. Green Lake, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Marquette, Milwaukee, Pepin, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Trempealeau. Vernon, Walworth, Waukesha and Wood (Figure 1). Many of these records were based simply on newspaper accounts or the writings of landowners, historians and naturalists. Vogt (1981) provided the most recent summary of Sistrurus occurrence in Wisconsin. His map included records for 12 counties: Buffalo, Clark, Columbia, Dane/Sauk, Jackson, Juneau, Pepin, Racine, Trempealeau, Walworth and Wood (Figure 2). Vogt’s (1981) map included solid dots (“specimens examined”) and open circles (“published records or records from reliable sources”), but no sources, collections, dates or specimen numbers are given. The Dane/Sauk and Walworth County records were represented by open circles only, all other counties contained solid dots. Vogt also provided a map based on Schorger (1967-68) of the historical range of Sistrurus prior to 1880. MASSASAUGA RECORDS COLLECTED BY THE HERP ATLAS-1986-1991

The Herp Atlas has collected 45 Sistrurus records from 16 counties to date: Buffalo, Clark, Columbia, Dane, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Juneau, La Crosse, Pepin, Rock, Sauk, Trempealeau and Walworth counties (Figure 3). Records listed here are either specimens examined (for collection acronyms see Appendix 1) or observations received (observer reports in Herp Atlas files). Reported observations are not confirmed records. 1987:22 records from 7 counties Iowa County: 1871, MPM 2115 Juneau County: no date, UWZ 17586; 1964, UWZ 17373; 1969?, UWZ 29348; 1970, UWZ 20391 Columbia County: no date, MPM 2173, 2180, 2183, 2203, 2209; 1926, MPM 2039; 1927, UWZ 6138; 1962, UWZ 17368; 1976, MPM 13794; 80 Metro Toronto Zoo

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Current Range La Crosse County: Sauk County: Dane County: Trempealeau County: Kenosha County: Walworth County:

1947, UWZ 13011; 1947, MPM 2650 1932, MPM 2425; 1962, UU 12394 1962, UWZ 17584; 1980, UWEC unnumbered 1987, fide D. Reed 1928, MPM 2247,2257

1988: 8 records from 5 counties La Crosse County: 1946, MPM 23354 Sauk County: 1953, BMR Z56RO68 Walworth County: 1963, MPM P167-69; 1987, B. Griffen; 1988, B. Cummings Juneau County: 1983, MPM 23344 Jackson County: 1988, R. Anderson; 1988, MPM 23402 1989: 9 records from 7 counties Walworth County: 1890’s, Whitewater Register 30Apr1896 Jackson County: 1947, G. Knudsen; 1953, G. Knudsen Clark County: 1950’s, G. Knudsen Buffalo County: 1951, G. Knudsen 1953-60, G. Knudsen Juneau County: Columbia County: 1960, G. Knudsen 1987, R. Hoffman Pepin County: 1990: 2 records from 2 counties Sauk County: 1953, BMR Z56RO66 Iowa County: 1990, Wisc. State J. (fide R. Hay) 1991: 4 records from 4 counties Rock County: 1991, R. Hay Green County: 1991, R. Hay Trempealeau County: 1991, J. Ramsey Grant County: 1991, J. Moorbeck DISCUSSION

Table 1 summarizes Sistrurus records compiled by Schorger (1967-68), Vogt (1981) and the Herp Atlas (1986-1991). Sistrurus was reported from a total of 26 counties in Wisconsin prior to 1880 by Schorger (1967-68). Vogt (1981) reported occurrence from 12 counties, presumably those counties he felt had populations since 1880. The Herp Atlas (1986-1991) has received reports from 16 counties to date. These are both historical and recent records, Two counties (Wood and Racine) reported by Vogt (1981) have not yet been confirmed by the Herp Atlas. The Herp Atlas has, however, added six counties to those confirmed by Vogt 1981 (Grant, Green, Iowa, Kenosha, La Crosse, and Rock). Of the 26 reported by Schorger (1967-68), only 14 have actually been confirmed through specimen examination by either Vogt (1981) or the Herp Atlas (Figure 4). Data presented here are not comprehensive. Additional specimen and literature records have been collected by the Herp Atlas, but have not yet been verified or summarized. Solicitation of observations continues and records continue to accrue including specimens and photos. Other than Keenlyne’s (1973) study in Buffalo Metro Toronto Zoo

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County, quantitative studies of Sistrurus populations have not been undertaken in Wisconsin. Such studies are sorely needed for planning species conservation. The Herp Atlas is currently in the data collection stage. Computerization of specimen, observation and literature records will provide new insights into past and present distributions, and shed light on the ecological parameters important to Sistrurus distribution. Meanwhile, extant populations identified through the Herp Atlas are available for demographic and ecological studies, and warrant protection from habitat degradation. Recent reliable records for Sistrurus indicate that populations exist in Buffalo/ Pepin, Jackson, Juneau, Trempealeau/La Crosse, and Walworth counties. Populations may also be present in Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Grant, Kenosha, Vernon and Wood counties. The Herp Atlas data provides numerous localities for targeting survey work, where Sistrurus has been reported, but not verified. A funding commitment is needed before any significant scientific study or observation work for this species can be achieved in Wisconsin.

Table 1. Massasauga Records for Wisconsin COUNTY

SCHORGER VOGT HERP ATLAS (1967-68) (1981) (1986-1991)

VERIFIED? BY VOGT OR HERP ATLAS

Buffalo

Y

Clark

Y

Y Y

Columbia

Y

Y

Dane

Y Y

Y

Dunn Fond Du Lac

Y

Grant

Y

Y

Green

Y

Y

Green Lake

Y

Iowa

Y

Jackson

Y

Jefferson Juneau

Y Y

Kenosha

Y

Y

La Crosse

Y

Y

Y

Marquette

Y

Milwaukee

Y

Pepin

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Y

Racine

Y

Rock

Y

Sauk

Y

Y

Y

Trempealeau

Y

Y

Y

Y Y

Vernon

Y

Walworth

Y

Y

Y

Y

Waukesha

Y

Wood

Y

Y Y

Y

Y

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Massasauga Rattlesnake, Sistrurus c. catenatus /gg Schorger,

1967-68

Figure 1. Historic distribution of the massasauga rattlesnake in Wisconsin.

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.

j

Sistrurus

c.

Rattlesnake, catenatus 1967-68

q m

Vogt, Vogt,

1981,

confirmed

1981,

unconfirmed

Figure 2. Massasauga rattlesnake in Wisconsin, Vogt, 1981.

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I

TI-Y

MiPwaukee

PUbliC

Museum

,

Rattlesnake, catenatus Schorger,

1967-68

Figure 3. Massasauga rattlesnake in Wisconsin, Herp Atlas, 1992.

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Rattlesnake, Massasauga Sistrurus c. catenatus 1967-68 verified bv Vogt (1981) or Herp Atlas (1992) Figure 4. Confirmed records for the massasauga rattlesnake in Wisconsin.

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Current Range LITERATURE CITED Wisconsin Herp Atlas, 1986-1991. Milwaukee Public Museum. Keenlyne, K. D. 1973. Food habits of Sistrurus catenatus catenatus. J. Herpetol. 7(4) 382-384 Schorger, A. W. 1967-68. Rattlesnakes in early Wisconsin. Wisc. Acad. Sci. Arts and Lett. 56:29-48 Vogt, R. C. 1981. Natural history of the amphibians and reptiles of Wisconsin. Milwaukee Public Museum 205 pp.

APPENDIX I: COLLECTION ACRONYMS USED IN TEXT

BMR- Burpee Museum, Rockford, IL. MPM- Milwaukee Public Museum. Note: specimen numbers prefaced with a ‘P’ are catalogued photographs UU- University of Utah, Salt Lake City UWEC- University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire UWZ- University of Wisconsin - Madison, Zoology Museum

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