In June, a massasauga rattlesnake started to frequent the culvert drain in the Great Lakes Gardens. She seemed to like the shade it provided, and was spotted there day after day. Eventually, she became such a fixture that she needed a name. While staff had many different ideas, we settled on Gertrude, and now lovingly refer to her as Gertie. 

With her constant presence close to the trail, staff set up construction cones and signage to let the public know she was there. While massasaugas are peaceful creatures, they are Michigan’s only venomous snake. They usually give a warning rattle before they strike, but their bite can be deadly if not treated promptly. 

A volunteer set up a trail cam outside the culvert, taking footage when it senses movement. The camera arrived just in time! A few days later, two heads were spotted in the culvert. And then many! While some snakes lay eggs, Massasaugas give birth to live young through a process called ovoviviparity, developing their eggs within their bodies until they are ready to hatch. Gertie gave birth to a brood of baby snakelets on Monday. They are now all sharing the shade of the culvert, snuggled together in a cozy snake pile. 

If you’re at the Matthaei, stop by for a respectful look from a safe distance behind the cones! 

We are excited to have new snake neighbors, and it’s vital that Matthaei is a safe place for them to call home. These snakes are a federally protected species, and disturbing, harassing, or harming them is illegal. Stay tuned on our social media channels for snake family updates!