Temperament. Rattlesnakes are reputedly aggressive, but the bad rap is generally unearned and does not reflect the behavior of most species. Timber rattlesnakes, for example,
tend to avoid confrontation with humans
; in most cases they’ll remain motionless or flee if possible when encountered.
What animals eat timber rattlesnakes?
Young timber rattlesnakes fall victim to a variety of natural predators, including
hawks, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, skunks and king snakes
.
Where do timber rattlesnakes eat?
These rattlesnakes hibernate during cold weather. Timber rattlers congregate in dens in mountainous areas whereas canebrakes often overwinter alone in stump holes or beneath ground cover. They eat
mostly small rodents when young, and large individuals kill and eat squirrels and rabbits
.
Are timber rattlesnakes good to eat?
But
rattlesnake meat is considered by others to be a delicacy of sorts
. Hunters in Texas are known to eat what they kill, and given the proper know-how and tools, a rattlesnake can be skinned, cleaned, and cooked, resulting in a dish that has been likened to eating turtle or frogs legs.
How big does a timber rattler get?
Detailed Description. Most adult Timber Rattlesnakes are about
36-60 inches (76-152 cm) in total length, with a record length recorded of 74.5 inches (189 cm)
. This is a large, heavy-bodied snake with a series of large, black, chevron-like crossbands down the pinkish gray or tan body.
What do you do if you see a timber rattlesnake?
If you have a timber rattlesnake in your yard that is causing concern, you may
contact your local law enforcement center for assistance
. They have a list of people who will respond to rattlesnake calls and can relocate a snake, if needed, or provide advice on how to get the snake to move away from your property.
Can timber rattlesnakes climb trees?
That’s when he learned
timber rattlesnakes can climb trees
. “I knew a lot of snakes are climbers,” he said.
Where does a timber rattlesnake live?
Timber rattlesnakes are found from
southern New England south through the Appalachian mountains to northern Georgia and west to southern Wisconsin
.
Do timber rattlesnakes live in groups?
Rattlesnakes use dens, such as the hollows of trees or burrows left behind by rodents and other mammals, to rest and keep warm in the winter. They leave these dens to hunt for food. Rattlesnakes are solo hunters, searching for food only for themselves;
they don’t travel in groups or hunt in pairs
.
Do rattlesnakes need to drink water?
Like other animals,
rattlesnakes need to drink water
. So, they will need to live close enough to a water source to drink when they need to.
What is the fine for killing a timber rattlesnake in Texas?
Permits for those without a valid hunting license are
$22.50
.
How poisonous is timber rattlesnake?
The Eastern Timber Rattlesnake is a
very venomous snake
. It is highly dangerous to people and their pets. Its fangs are long enough to penetrate clothing and most boots. If you think one of these snakes has bitten someone, seek medical help immediately.
Are rattlesnakes active at night?
Depending on weather and threatening conditions such wildfires;
rattlesnakes may roam at any time of the day or night
. If walking at night, be sure to use a flashlight. barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. When hiking, stick to well-used trails if all possible.
How common are timber rattlesnakes?
The snake is
so rare in the state that it is rarely encountered by people
and is considered endangered, making it illegal to harass, kill, collect, or possess. In September 2021, a five-foot long timber rattlesnake was recorded on video on a trail in the Blue Hills Reservation.
How old is a rattlesnake with 10 rattles?
Counting the Rattles
Unless you know when the snake hatched, you can’t determine the exact age of a rattlesnake, but you can count the rattles to figure a rough estimate as to how old the snake is.
On average, you can estimate the snake added two or three rattles for each year of his life
.
What does rattlesnake meat taste like?
Rattlesnake meat is white, tender, and tastes like
a cross between frog legs and turtle
. While there are a lot of rib bones, a big rattlesnake has a backstrap-like muscle that runs the entire length of the backbone. Once cooked, that muscle peels out easily, giving the diner a boneless bite of goodness.
How long do timber rattlesnakes live?
The foot-long baby rattlers are born encased within a membrane that they immediately shed. They are born with venom in their hollow fangs and a small “button” rattle. Mother rattlesnakes guard their young for a week or two, until they shed their skin for the first time. Timber rattlesnakes can live
over 30 years
.
What is the biggest timber rattlesnake on record?
The record for biggest timber rattler was
183 centimeters
(slightly longer than 6 feet), according to snake-facts.weebly.com. Another snake information page, oplin.org, said the maximum length of a timber rattlesnake is 74 inches, again just longer than 6 feet.
Are rattlesnakes protected?
Rattlesnakes which are not normally domesticated in California are
not protected
. Pit vipers, or rattlesnakes, are listed in the California Code of Regulations as detrimental to public health and safety, native wildlife or state agriculture and are not protected.
How big is a rattlesnake home range?
Home Range: Fitch and Glading (1947) estimated an average home range size for the western rattlesnake in the Sierra foothills to be about
1.2 ha (3 ac)
. Most individuals move over an area of less than 3 m (10 ft) during a day.
Can you outrun a rattlesnake?
Rattlesnake speeds have not been specifically measured, but they likely travel at about 2 to 3 miles per hour in very short bursts. In comparison, the fastest humans can run up to 28 miles per hour.
The average human could easily outrun a rattlesnake
.
How much time do you have after being bitten by a rattlesnake?
You’ll begin to see symptoms immediately, but your symptoms will worsen over time. Ideally, you’ll reach medical help within 30 minutes of being bitten. If the bite is left untreated, your bodily functions will break down over a period of
2 or 3 days
and the bite may result in severe organ damage or death.
Can rattlesnakes bite through jeans?
Turns out
the snakes were only able to inject a third of the venom into the be-jeaned limbs, leaving venom to be harmlessly absorbed by the denim fabric
. No wonder Samuel L. Jackson wore jeans on that plane! Denim clothing reduces venom expenditure by rattlesnakes striking defensively at model human limbs.
What snake looks like a timber rattlesnake?
Prairie Kingsnake
Prairie kingsnakes resemble rattlesnakes by displaying a similar self-defense strategy. They coil up to form an S-shape and vibrate their tails against dry leaves to produce a warning notice when they feel threatened. This species also possesses light unmarked bellies similar to a timber rattlesnake.
Do timber rattlesnakes lay eggs?
Like other pit vipers,
timber rattlesnakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they do not lay eggs outside of the body
. Instead, the embryos develop in eggs that are incubated and hatched within the mother’s body and then birthed as live young.
Can snakes bite through rain boots?
Yes, they can
. The good news is that not all snakes have fangs strong enough to go through rubber boots.
