Toronto 
Credit: Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo has announced the birth of four massasauga rattlesnakes, an endangered species in the Carolinian population of southern Ontario.
Eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are a challenging species to reproduce. The Zoo carefully adjusted day lengths to simulate wild conditions in an effort to condition the snakes and provide an optimal environment for successful breeding.
The births, that happened on Friday, May 29, 2020, are a first for the zoo since the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Breeding Program started in 2017.
Massasauga snakes are a valuable part of Ontario’s natural heritage as it is the only surviving venomous species in the province. The two small populations in Southern Ontario are genetically distinct from the larger population around Georgian Bay and are referred to as the Carolinian subpopulation. Both of these populations are being monitored and intensely studied as they are at immediate risk of extirpation in the very near future without intervention.
Credit: Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo snakes are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Species Survival Plan (SSP) that began in 2006, a collaborative program aimed at ensuring the survival of the species across its range. Eastern Massasauga populations are at risk due to habitat loss and fragmentation, road mortality, persecution (as a venomous snake), and illegal collection for the pet trade. The four eastern massasauga rattlesnakes will be joining the current managed population of massasauga’s at the Zoo and contribute their valuable genetic lineage to enhance the health of other assurance populations.
Recently, Toronto zoo announced births of Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi calf (Masai Giraffe), hatching of Madagascar spider tortoise, and births of arctic wolf pups.
The zoo is currently holding a Scenic Safari drive-through will allow guests to see the Zoo’s animals from the comfort and safety of their own vehicle along a 3.4 kilometres route which takes approximately 45 minutes to one hour.
