Picture of a rattlesnake from south of Westfield (summer of 2000)
This location about 30 miles south of Sioux Center is the easternmost
extent of the prairie rattler and the only confirmed place they have been
found in Iowa.
| I have been following up on reports that seem to have some substance of the
prairie rattler (Crotalus viridis) being found in short-grass relict
prairie in counties both north and south of the
known population at a locality near Westfield in Plymouth County in NW
Iowa. Since the Westfield location is the easternmost extent of the known range
and the only place the prairie rattler has been proven to exist in Iowa (where
it is endangered), these reports would be on interest to the state and the
herpetological community if they prove to be true. A Dordt College biology
student, Ryan Verver, helped in the early investigation as an individual
research project.
There is also evidence that as late as 1940 rattlesnakes were found and killed in the floodplain of the Little Sioux River and the Missouri River in Monona County. The habitat indicates that these were more likely massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) than prairie rattlers. I also found evidence of a population of rattlers (most likely massasauga) that existed early on near Kiron in Crawford County, Iowa. This summer (2006) I uncovered historic evidence of massasauga in Mitchell County in NE Iowa. This was north of their known range. There is some evidence that they extended into SE Minnesota. How you can help. I really would like to know of any reports of rattlesnakes in these areas. What I would especially like is hard evidence like a picture or rattles that grandpa had. This will help establish their current or former range. |
Picture of a rattlesnake from south of Westfield (summer of 2000)
This location about 30 miles south of Sioux Center is the easternmost
extent of the prairie rattler and the only confirmed place they have been
found in Iowa.
Page designed by James
Mahaffy on December 27, 2000
Last modified on December 25, 2006 (3:41pm)