An Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake named Gordo, who perished on Matchett Road last summer, has left a legacy through his offspring. According to a local reptile conservation expert, Gordo successfully bred before his demise, resulting in seven baby rattlesnakes that are now being nurtured for eventual release in the local area.
Jonathan Choquette, a biologist overseeing the Ojibway Prairie Reptile Recovery program of Wildlife Preservation Canada, expressed enthusiasm for the situation, highlighting the significance of the offspring carrying Ojibway genetics. The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes are nearly extinct in Windsor-Essex despite being indigenous to the region, with local population estimates possibly below 10.
Gordo, a key male specimen aimed at bolstering the population at the Ojibway Prairie Complex, had been monitored and named by Choquette’s team. Tracing his lineage back to rescued rattlesnakes in LaSalle over 25 years ago, Gordo’s fate was sealed when his lifeless body, identified by an electronic transmitter implant, was discovered on Matchett Road in September 2025.
Choquette revealed that prior to Gordo’s demise, he had successfully mated with a female named Ashley. Although it wasn’t confirmed until recently when Ashley underwent a transmitter replacement at Toronto Zoo, revealing she was carrying eggs through an X-ray.
Being ovoviviparous like all rattlesnake species, the Eastern Massasauga rattlers have their eggs hatch internally before live birth. The offspring of Gordo and Ashley will be kept in captivity until they reach a year old, with plans for their release in the Ojibway Prairie Complex next summer to carry on Gordo’s legacy in Windsor-Essex.
Choquette emphasized the uniqueness of the tallgrass prairie population of Massasauga rattlesnakes in Canada, highlighting its significance in Canadian natural heritage.