Timber Rattlesnake

Crotalus horridus atricaudatus

Venom Status:

Venomous

 

Characteristics:

The montane and northern form tends to be yellow, buff, or black and to have black dorsal saddles and separate lateral blotches. It lacks well defined facial striping as well as the vertebral stripe. The southern/western lowland form is gray, tan, or pinkish, has crossbands rather than saddles, and has both a postocular stripe and a vertebral stripe, the latter often orangish in color. On all, the tail is black. Note the vertical pupils and infrared sensing pit between, but lower than, the nostril and eye. Color very variable, but, except on black individuals, dark bands contrast strongly with the yellow, gray, buff, or pinkish ground color.

 

Unique Features:

 

Habitat and Diet:

Now considered to be just one widespread very variable rattlesnake this snake ranges from montane fastnesses to suburban woodlots.. May be encountered in woodlands, rock strewn regions, edge situations, wooded homesteads, or occasionally suburban areas. Primarily feeds on Mammals, birds; neonate rattlesnakes eat lizards and small mammals.

 

Geographic Range:

FL, GA, SC, AL, NC, TN, KY, VA, WV, RI, NY, NH, VT, AR, CT, IL, IN, LA, MD, MA, MN, MS, TX, ID, KS, MO, NE, NJ, IA, OH, OK, WI, PA