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The Protected Timber Rattlers of South Mountain

Posted by PATC North - Blogger on July 16, 2014 at 1:25 PM

Post courtesy of Andy Wolfe, a PATC North Chapter Overseer from Shippensburg, PA

When you think of Heads or Tails.....do Timber Rattlers come to mind ??   These are female Timber Rattlers hanging out at a den site in the South Mountain section of Michaux Forest, waiting to bear their young next month.  




These are referred to as  "gravid" (pregnant) females that mated last summer.  Timber Rattlers usually don't mate till 7 years old and then infrequently as every 3 years or so.  


These amazing creatures are frequently misunderstood and feared. The truth is that they just want to be left in peace, are a beneficial part of the ecosystem and without them some of the wild character of our forests would be lost.   And in Pennsylvania, they are a protected species in this area.


Here is a female with her newly born young.

  

Part of their protection means throwing away stereotypes. Their distinct rattle doesn't mean the snakes are going to attack, just a fright response to warn visitors that they are there.   Rattlesnake bites are very rare.....likely due to that warning rattle.


So, give them some room and perhaps some overdue respect.  Remember.....it is their home we are visiting.  .


Want more information on the Timber Rattlers of Pennsylvania.....CLICK HERE.

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Reply Gary
5:16 PM on July 16, 2014 
Andy,
Great post! Personal observation: I have spent literally thousands of hours on PA's backcountry trails as a hiker, trail runner, and now PATC maintainer, but I've only ever seen a couple rattlesnakes crossing dirt roads while I was driving. Hope I get lucky soon and see one while on foot for the first time. Obviously rattlesnakes are not super abundant so an encounter should be treated as a gift, not a killing opportunity.
Gary

Preserving our footpaths since 1985 as the 1st Chapter of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, PATC        www.patc.net