Western Massasauga vs. Prairie Rattlesnake

Both are blotched, venomous rattlesnakes of Nebraska grassland. A: look down on the head between the eyes. Massasaugas (genus Sistrurus) have nine large plates there, like a non-venomous snake; the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus) has many small, bumpy scales. B: the Massasauga has a broad dark stripe through the eye, bordered in white above and below; the Prairie Rattlesnake has two thin pale diagonal lines on the side of the face. C: the Massasauga has close-set dark brown blotches on grey; the Prairie Rattlesnake has rounded brown blotches edged in white on a greenish, tan or grey ground. D: the Massasauga is small (usually under 2.5 ft) with a small rattle; the Prairie Rattlesnake reaches 3 to 4 ft. Observe both from a distance.

Photographs via iNaturalist under Creative Commons licences; the photographers are credited on the sheet.

More comparisons

• Rock Rattlesnake vs. Western Massasauga
• Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake vs. Western Massasauga
• Chihuahuan Nightsnake vs. Western Massasauga
• Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake vs. Western Massasauga
• Pygmy Rattlesnake vs. Western Massasauga
• Prairie Rattlesnake vs. Gopher Snake
• Western Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Western Black-tailed Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Rock Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Arizona Black Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Tiger Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Chihuahuan Nightsnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Prairie Rattlesnake vs. Mojave Rattlesnake
• Prairie Rattlesnake vs. Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake
• Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Twin-spotted Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Eastern Black-tailed Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake
• Pygmy Rattlesnake vs. Prairie Rattlesnake

Wildsight identifies the reptiles and amphibians of the United States. Every comparison