Now here's a poor creature in need of some serious PR work: The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake. Not the most cuddly creature to promote, but one that is very endangered and in need of assistance. These innocent reptiles have been killed in droves despite the fact that they pose little threat to humans.
The eastern massasauga rattlesnake, experts say, is not just a part of the
state's prairie heritage, but an important link in a balanced food chain. They
eat mice and voles, and are eaten by herons, hawks and other snakes. Their
decline, biologists argue, is a signal of problems in the wetlands that filter
and store floodwater and provide habitat for other animals.
The numbers are so small that a particularly harsh winter could push the snake beyond recovery, said Joe Kath, endangered species project manager for the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources.
Here's a great site that contains video and audio clips of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.
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