massasauga
noun
mas·sa·sau·ga
ˌma-sə-ˈsȯ-gə 
: 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
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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
See More
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
Dictionary Entries Near massasauga
Cite this Entry
“Massasauga.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/massasauga. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
massasauga
noun
mas·sa·sau·ga
ˌmas-ə-ˈsȯ-gə
: a small North American rattlesnake
Medical Definition
massasauga
noun
mas·sa·sau·ga
ˌmas-ə-ˈsȯg-ə
: 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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about massasauga
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