Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Chicagoland Rattlesnakes 
Name:   Pat
Status:   other
Age:   30s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: 2000-2001
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?

Replies:
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

Click here to return to the Zoology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory