Eastern massasauga rattlesnake envenomations in an urban wilderness

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus), one of the few members of the Crotalidae family indigenous to the Great Lakes region, is considered to be more reclusive and docile than other types of rattlesnake. We report three cases of eastern massasauga rattlesnake envenomation within the Chicagoland area which required therapy with Crotalidae antivenin. Although bites are relatively uncommon, provoked snakes can inflict significant morbidity.