Ask A Scientist© Zoology Archive

name        Pat
status      other
age         30s
Question -  Can you tell me if there are any poisonous snakes in the 
Cook County area? I was at a lodge in Sauk Village where there is a lake 
and a lot of weeds/trees. Someone opened a shed there and said that there 
was a pygmy rattle snake in it. Is that a possibility?

According to the 1999 published "Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles 
of Illinois",  Illinois Natural History Survey Manual #8, Massasauga 
rattlesnakes have extremely few and scattered populations in Cook County 
and verified specimens have been obtained.  They are endangered and very 
rare, and their venom does not have a serious effect on humans.  They will 
strike when surprised, otherwise, they flee.


Steve Sample
York High School
Elmhurst, Illinois
60126
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