What is the illegal pet trade? Now more than ever, we need your support. The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) was named by Linneaus in 1758, and the genus name, Crotalus, literally means "hollow in the rocks" after the denning habit the Timber Rattlesnake uses. Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute 3001 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008, PO Box 37012 Pregnant, or gravid, females move into more open habitat while males stay in habitats with more tree cover. Timber rattlesnakes are active in the day and night but spend most of their time coiled in a resting posture, waiting for prey to cross their path. One of the reasons — in addition to persecution by humans — is a low reproductive rate. Mother rattlesnakes guard their young for a week or two, until they shed their skin for the first time. The Smithsonian's National Zoo has proposed a study to test wild rattlesnakes for snake fungal disease. Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Boston, MA 02129 P: 617-523-0655 F: 617-523-0722, AMC Praises Recent Administrative Action on LWCF, Why These Northeast Women Are Addicted to Winter Surfing, Appalachian Mountain Club Receives Prestigious Land Conservation Award, How to Make Summiting New Hampshire‘s 4000 Footers Even More Challenging, How to Avoid Needing a Winter Rescue in the Backcountry, Keeping the World at Bay: Protecting Delaware’s Inland Bays for Paddlers & Wildlife, Light Pollution and Bird Migration: A Study Connects the Dots, Butterfly Effect: What Kids Can Learn from the Monarch Butterfly, Cottontail Country: The Proposed Great Thicket National Wildlife Refuge. As human/snake encounters increase and as human encroachment into rattlesnake habitat, many populations that occur on private land will continue to decline. While the Timber rattlesnake is not on the list of endangered species, there are still natural threats and circumstances which may pose a threat to their survival. The Timber Rattlesnakes is found in 30 states in the eastern US. As they grow, the young snakes molt their skin creating room to grow additional rattles. While a detailed body of research on this species exists, additional field studies and research are underway to better understand the needs of hatchling and juvenile snakes, as well as the conditions for den sites. They also eat birds, lizards and amphibians. Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Sistrurus catenatus Fact Sheet . They are already extirpated from Maine and Rhode Island and are endangered in the rest of New England. Other efforts to preserve the timber rattlesnake include public education and habitat conservation. timber rattlesnake is a species of regional concern in the northeastern United States (Therres 1999). No subspecies are currently recognized. This means that people cannot take, transport, have in their possession or sell timber rattlesnakes. Timber rattlesnakes are also one of the most misunderstood yet fascinating creatures. Mating season takes place from spring to late summer. “It’s never boring.”. When threatened, it props itself up and shakes its rattle, which presses the buttons together producing a rapid, crisp rattling sound. The timber rattlesnake may arguably be among the state's most endangered species. These large, heavy pit vipers vary in coloration. The dance has three steps; the male first slides next to the female, then rubs his head and body against her, and finally curls his tail under her tail to mate. “You don’t see them until, literally, you’re a foot or two away,” he says. Tropical reptiles and small mammals are often traded internationally and may be victims of the illegal pet trade. The timber rattlesnake is endangered, and is a protected species. Distribution of Crotalus horridus in Pennsylvania (PFBC 2010) This beautifully patterned snake is extremely rare in the state and is listed as an endangered species. Help us give our little "sweet potato" the best start possible and give today. The primary threats to timber rattlesnakes in NJ come from human-related factors. Back​ to Rare, Threatened & Endangered Animals​ At the state level, efforts are underway to protect current populations and expand scientific study in an effort to reverse declining population trends. The sound serves as a warning before the snake strikes. By becoming a member, you'll help the Zoo save species and get great benefits for you and your family each time you visit! Presumably they need forests with enough age and structure to provide sufficient fallen logs on the forest floor for rodent runways. Why are timber rattlesnakes endangered in Ohio but not nationally? Generally, those found in the western and higher altitude parts of its range are called timber rattlers. This brochure is intended to answer many questions that people have about encountering timber rattlesnakes. It’s the capturing or killing … Their range extends from eastern Kansas, Texas, Iowa and central Wisconsin to Georgia, the Carolinas, West Virginia, western Virginia, Pennsylvania and New England. These are the timber rattlesnake and the copperhead. Females mature at about 5 years old and reproduce every two to three years. Urban development is the greatest concern for timber rattlesnakes in states where the species has protected status. Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is a Special Concern species and a Protected Wild Animal. Even so, humankind has pushed this misunderstood reptile to the brink of extinction in the Northeast. They have many common names throughout their range, including American viper, black rattlesnake, eastern rattlesnake, timber rattler and canebrake. Unfortunately, there is little protection for the critical habitat required by rattlesnakes. Timber rattlesnakes are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. Timber rattlesnakes are found from the Midwestern United States all the way to the east coast. The timber rattlesnake is classified as an endangered species in 6 states and as a threatened species in 5 others. This distinct pattern and coloration helps the timber rattlesnake camouflage among the vegetation on the ground. They are often the targets of wanton killing and suffer continued persecution from illegal collecting. Timber rattlesnakes, or Crotalus horridus, are an endangered species of rattlesnake native to the United States. are black with little or no pattern. The timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake or banded rattlesnake, is a species of venomous pit viper endemic to eastern North America. Timber Rattlesnakes are shy and will usually not strike a person unless provoked. In Virginia they can be found at elevations up to 6000+ feet and prefer mixed pine­hardwood and hardwood forests, like oak, with lots Like other members of the pit viper family, the timber rattlesnake has a large, heavy-bodied appearance. The timber rattlesnake had shared this forest with its co-evolving mammals for unknown eons, but only alongside humans for the last 16,000 years or so. There are 4 snakes classed as species of particular concern, including: Historically, they were also found in southern Canada and Maine. Range: The timber rattlesnake is facing serious threats throughout the United States. The eastern massasauga rattlesnake has been listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The timber rattlesnake — also called the American viper, black rattlesnake, eastern rattlesnake, timber rattler and canebrake — is a large pit viper with a wide distribution across the eastern half of the U.S. PDF Version . The odds have been stacked against the timber rattlesnake since the 19th century, when towns, fearing attacks on humans, offered rewards for dead snakes, a practice that didn’t end until the 1970s. A timber rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency. Dangers caused by people: Something you might not know is that Timber rattlesnakes are often poached. Nine states are working together to analyze the fungus, hoping to determine whether it is native or invasive. As a public health precaution due to COVID-19, all Smithsonian museums will temporarily close. They have been extirpated, or eradicated, in Maine. Though its venom can be fatal to humans, the timber rattlesnake is so shy that bites are rare and fatalities virtually unheard of. Many require special care and live for a long time. A closer look at its status in parts of its range reveals a more nuanced situation for this species. Let the powers that be know that I am willing to share my expertise about timber rattlesnakes and dispel much of this misinformation about the species. Learn more. Timber rattlesnakes have a wide distribution across the eastern half of the United States. Their habitat extends from New Hampshire, through the Appalachian … They are captured and skinned for their beautiful scaled coloring. Share the story of this animal with others. A current, long-term monitoring study may change their status. In New Hampshire, most rattlesnakes (only one known population remaining!!!) Tell your friends and family about the eco-services that snakes provide, such as keeping rodent populations in check. They are known to decline when human encroachment occurs. In the winter, they hibernate in crevices found on the ground or slightly underneath. Current laws do not require alterations or limitations on development, and timber rattlesnakes do not respond well to changes in their habitat. They are so unique that they have become a popular catch in the illegal pet trade. The species is listed as endangered in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia and threatened in Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, and Texas. There are 14 species of snake in Connecticut, of which just 2 are venomous. Timber rattlesnakes are one of the remaining symbols of Pennsylvania's wilderness areas. Those found in lower elevation areas, such as the Piedmont (a geographic region extending from New Jersey to Alabama) and the Atlantic Coastal Plain are called canebrakes. As of a 2007 analysis, timber rattlesnakes are listed as a species of least concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. Though it may strike if necessary, the timber rattlesnake is more docile than other members of its family and is more likely to stay coiled or stretched out, motionless when encountered in the wild. In New England, timber rattlesnakes are listed as extirpated Never release animals that have been kept as pets into the wild. Timber rattlesnakes are skilled climbers and have been discovered in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. We hope you will join us in this important work. They are diurnal during spring and fall but prowl at night during the summer months to … The Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. I have been working with and studying timber rattlesnakes for over 25 years. “The females don’t reproduce until age 6, then every four years after that,” says Wynn. The odds have been stacked against the timber rattlesnake since the 19th century, when towns, fearing attacks on humans, offered rewards for dead snakes, a practice that didn’t end until the 1970s. The main threat to timber rattlesnake numbers is human behavior. Don’t assume it is a venomous species, and don’t attack it if it doesn’t pose a threat to your safety. Adult males and non-gravid adult females prefer deciduous forests and woodland edges in an agricultural setting during the summer. Timber rattlesnakes are a state endangered species and protected by state law. Today, every state inhabited by timber rattlesnakes has laws protecting the species, including Texas. The timber rattlesnake has been eradicated in Rhode Island and Maine, and seven other northeastern states list it as endangered or threatened. This illness frequently leaves the snakes with fatal lesions. And now it faces a new threat: Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola, a fungus that causes Snake Fungal Disease (SFD). The Pennsylvania Fish and Game Commission has voted to remove the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) from the state's Endangered Species Candidate list. The Timber Rattlesnake is found along heavily vegetated, rocky outcrops on partially forested hillsides. In most of those states, however, populations have experienced minor to severe declines. Choose your pets wisely, and do your research before bringing an animal home. At the Zoo, timber rattlesnakes primarily eat mice and rats. In the wild, timber rattlesnakes primarily eat small- to medium-sized rodents, such as mice, shrews, chipmunks and squirrels. These snakes can live up to thirty years. The sound of a rattlesnake evokes fear in most people. Educational Activities You Can Do at Home, About the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, #PandaStory: A Short and Sweet (Potato) Update, Caring for Wallabies: Stories from a Real-Life Zoo Guardian. Adopt a red panda to give the perfect gift to the animal lover in your life — even if that animal lover is you! Timber Rattlesnakes are quite sizable, reaching lengths of up to five and a half feet. An invasive fungus would spread more quickly and present more complex challenges for combating SFD. Larger timber rattlesnakes may have up to five or six rattles and may shed a button as new buttons grow. Like other vipers, the timber rattlesnake is venomous with venom potent enough to kill a human. Find resources to engage learners in grades preK-12 with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation. We are not announcing a reopening date at this time and will provide updates on our websites and social media. Washington, DC 20013. It is restricted to the eastern third of Kansas and ranges no farther west than the Flint Hills. Timber rattlesnakes den with other snake species during the winter, typically on south-facing slopes under talus or inside rock fissures. Organized “rattlesnake roundups” deplete local populations and destroy habitat used by many other species. Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus Background The timber rattlesnake is one of only two venomous species found in Connecticut; the other is the northern copperhead. It is protected from harvest in Tennessee … “A typical litter size is only about seven.” (Photo by Mike Marchand) The timber rattlesnake is the only snake in New Hampshire that actually has a rattle. Exotic animals don’t always make great pets. They are gray, sometimes with a pinkish hue and have a stripe down their back. In Texas, animal or plant species of conservation concern may be listed as threatened or endangered under the authority of state law and/or under the U.S. © Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous northeastern United States and is second only to its cousins to the west, the prairie rattlesnake, as the most northerly distributed venomous snake in North America. Some regulations limit the number of timber rattlesnakes that may be killed during a season or how many snakes may be captured per day. Every spring, Doug Blodgett, a biologist for Vermont Fish and Wildlife, laces up his sturdy boots and goes out to count rattlesnakes. In other parts of their range, they congregate in dens underneath rocks, fissures in rocky ledges or other crevices. They are ambush predators and capture prey by waiting patiently in the brush, and then quickly striking, biting and injecting venom into passing prey. They have a triangular shaped head to accommodate venom glands and injecting apparatus. This structure is unique to the group of New World pit vipers, including about 32 species that extend from southern Canada to northern South America. This diet has the benefit of reducing the spread of Lyme disease since the rodents carry ticks. The state list deals only with the status of the species within Texas. Even now, misplaced fears continue to endanger the species, as do habitat loss and fragmentation, automobile traffic, and poaching. In Texas, it is listed as a threatened species. Loose sections of the tail made of keratin (the same substance as human hair and fingernails) form the characteristic rattles or "buttons" at the tip of the timber rattlesnake's tail. More roads and increased traffic also cause road mortalities of pregnant females, who move into more open territories during gestation. Background and Conservation Concerns: The timber rattlesnake is one of only two venomous species found in Connecticut; the other is the northern copperhead. Timber Rattlesnakes were bountied in Vermont until 1971, and designated endangered in 1987. An illicit market of timber rattlesnakes creates demand for poached and captured snakes to sell to private collections. They occur in relatively small numbers in the few remaining remote and rugged areas of the state. Even in areas without bounties, the rattlesnake was severely persecuted by local residents. Despite these conservation efforts, their slow population growth is further hindered by: Young rattlesnakes resemble adults, except that they have only one button on their tail and may have a stripe from their eyes to their jaws. Did you know that, in reality, these snakes are shy and will only bite if they feel threatened? Often these dens are shared with other snake species too, both venomous and nonvenomous. As humans expand cities and roads into natural habitats, the snake loses its territory and prey sources. Timber rattlesnakes can live over 30 years. Throughout their range, timber rattlesnakes seem to be less common in cities and suburbs. This species is regionally extinct in Canada and threatened in several other parts of its range. Simply raising awareness about this species can contribute to its overall protection. These snakes are largely terrestrial but are amazing climbers and have been found in trees at heights of more than 80 feet. However, timber rattlesnake bites are rare. A timber rattlesnake bite is a medical emergency. Despite these restrictions, hunting is still commonplace across the timber rattlesnake's range and is of high concern. Like other vipers, the timber rattlesnake is venomous with venom potent enough to kill a human. In the northern part of their range, their regional classification varies from threatened to endangered. If you see a snake in the wild, leave it alone and encourage others to do the same. This species warrants federal endangered or threatened species listing consideration, including prelisting status reviews (Therres 1999). Originally found in 30 states, it has been extirpated from Delaware, Maine, and Rhode Island. AMC Outdoors, the magazine of the Appalachian Mountain Club, inspires readers to get outside and get engaged. Note that Canebrake Rattlesnakes are found in southeastern Virginia and have been listed as endangered since 1992. In some states, hunting snakes for kill or round-ups is illegal. These include malicious killing, illegal collecting, human incursions into rattlesna… Species may be listed as state threatened or endangered and not federally listed. “This species has been here for thousands and thousands of years, and it still deserves a place here,” Blodgett says. However, timber rattlesnake bites are rare. This beautifully patterned snake is extremely rare in the state and is listed as an endangered species. Blodgett’s yearly count is part of an effort to preserve the timber rattlesnake, a species that helps balance forest ecosystems by preying on small rodents. The timber rattlesnake has been eradicated in Rhode Island and Maine, and seven other northeastern states list it as endangered or threatened. Timber rattlesnakes live in a variety of habitats, including mountainous or hilly forests, hardwood or pine forests, swamps and river floodplains, lowland cane thickets, and agricultural fields. Threatened species are animals and plants that are likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. This stripe is orange, yellow or pinkish in some timber rattlesnakes, while others have a brown or black stripe. Texas Rat Snake. Well, it’s pretty much what it sounds like. Timber rattlesnakes feed largely on small mammals and birds, and like other pit-vipers, can detect prey with their infra-red heat sensory organs (pits). A single litter can have three to 13 snakes. For example, in New Jersey the timber rattlesnake experienced a 50-66% population decline and is considered an endangered species. Timber rattlesnakes are protected in Kansas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The poison in its glands had arisen in a world absent of primates, both human and ape. In 1983, timber rattlesnakes were designated as a threatened species. To a lesser degree, there is also demand for timber rattlesnakes for use in religious ceremonies, particularly in the Appalachia and the American South. In some parts of their range, timber rattlesnakes are solitary and will hibernate alone in a stump hole or under ground cover. In some cases, hunters may capture and release but not kill snakes, and they may not capture females or small snakes. Both morphs, or variations in color, have darker or black coloration at the tip of their tail and dark stripes that form a chevron pattern along the back and sides of the snake. In some areas, timber rattlesnake hunting is regulated. Timber rattlesnakes are often hunted at their dens, a sport that originated in the colonial era and continues today, either as part of controlled capture and release programs or as illegal practices that result in more indiscriminate killing. This is due to habitat loss, encroachment, poaching, and deliberate killings. Even when our gates are closed, we are still here, working as always to save species. Males compete for females and display a courtship "dance." Endangered Species Act. Photo courtesy of Joe Crowley; Ontario Nature .