CHICAGO — Thirteen eastern massasauga rattlesnakes were born at the Lincoln Park Zoo, representing the first youngsters of the endangered species born at the zoo.
Born on Friday, the litter will join eight other members of the species, endangered in Illinois, behind-the-scenes at the zoo, officials said.
“We are overjoyed by the arrival of this litter,” Diane Mulkerin, a Lincoln Park Zoo curator, said in a statement. “The zoo is extremely enthusiastic about the significant positive impact these rattlesnakes will have on this endangered population.”
In 2009, the last remaining massasaugas in the Chicago area were taken to the zoo for protection. The rattlesnakes can grow up to 30 inches long.
“Currently, the baby rattlesnakes are just about the size of a US quarter when coiled but are fully independent from the dam,” Mulkerin said.
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