It's called a "massasauga rattlesnake". It's more commonly known as a "swamp rattler" And it's native to Iowa.
But it's also on the endangered species list and was taken from the home of a New Hartford man this week.
Agents of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Iowa Department of Public Safety acted on complaints that a New Hartford man was keeping endangered animals at his home. Officers served a search warrant Wednesday and seized the deadly rattlesnake and other illegal contraband.
50-year-old Brian Anderson turned himself in Thursday. He's charged with one count of possession of an endangered species and one count of a protected non-game species-both misdemeanors. Other charges related to the contraband may be forthcoming as well.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service says the bite from one of the "swamp rattlers" can be very painful and potentially lethal. But they say because of the reclusive nature of the snake, they rarely bite people.
The snake is listed under the Endangered Species Act as a "threatened animal" which could become endangered.