Major Milestone for Rattlesnake Recovery Efforts in Illinois
Aug 5, 2009Media Contact: Sharon Dewar, (312)742-2246, SDewar@lpzoo.org
Chicago, Ill (August 5, 2009) – A female eastern massasauga rattlesnake (EMR), which is believed to be one of the last remaining individuals of her species locally, gave birth to four babies on July 28 at Lincoln Park Zoo thereby doubling the local snake population.
Earlier this year, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Cook and Lake County Forest Preserve Districts and Lincoln Park Zoo united to save this species through capture and recovery efforts. The goal being to locate the last remaining snakes in northeastern Illinois and place them in appropriate propagation facilities, including Lincoln Park Zoo, to bolster the population and ensure the species long term survival.
Throughout spring and early summer, search teams scoured local areas where the rattlesnakes had been observed over the past several years, devoting hundreds of man hours to hunt for the last wild rattlesnakes. Only two snakes – one male and one female – were located and transported to Lincoln Park Zoo for protected breeding efforts. Biologists already knew that the population had reached critically low numbers, and it is possible that these two individuals, which some zoo staff affectionately refer to as Adam and Eve, are the last remaining EMR in northeastern Illinois.
Ironically, the two snakes had not yet been introduced for breeding when the female gave birth. “Although it’s possible the female may have bred right before we located her, it isn’t likely,” explained Lincoln Park Zoo curator Diane Mulkerin. “She was found in early April – right after emerging from hibernation – a time of year when breeding is not typical. I think she probably bred in the fall before going into hibernation, and the sperm did not implant until this spring.” According to Mulkerin, delayed implantation of this kind appears to be common for snakes, and admits there are still a lot of scientific unknowns about snake reproductive physiology.
One question that remains to be answered is if the babies were sired by ‘Adam’ or if it is possible that another elusive male remains at large. When the babies shed their first skin it may be possible to run DNA testing to solve the mystery. Either way, the rattlesnake recovery team plans to continue snake searches next spring and summer to hopefully locate and recover any more of the last remaining rare snakes.
The newborn rattlesnakes, which were born live, are as thin as a pencil and when coiled up only slightly larger than a silver dollar. “They are miniature replicas of the adults – gorgeous – tiny little pink on their tails,” said Lincoln Park Zoo’s Joanne Earnhardt, Ph.D., EMR Species Survival Plan coordinator.
The snakes, which are solitary and independent from the moment of birth, were immediately removed from the mother’s enclosure and each given their own housing.
“The team’s objective was to build a zoo population that can fuel a future reintroduction as part of a recovery effort. So this is a great beginning,” said Earnhardt.
While EMR live in small pockets from western New York and southern Ontario to southern Iowa and northeastern Missouri, a recent genetic study identified three distinctive genetic groupings of EMR in North America. The northeastern Illinois snake population is a variation that needs swift conservation action.
ABOUT LINCOLN PARK ZOO
Lincoln Park Zoo, a historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, is dedicated to connecting people with nature by providing a free, family-oriented wildlife experience. A leader in conservation science both globally and locally, the zoo exemplifies the highest quality animal care and educational outreach. The not-for-profit zoo, managed by The Lincoln Park Zoological Society, is a member-supported organization and one of the nation’s only free, privately managed zoos. For more information, call 312 -742-2000 or visit www.lpzoo.org.
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