Big River ADC Trapping - Timber Rattler

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Dec 22, 2009, 11:19pm

Big River ADC Trapping :: Snakes!! :: Venomous Snakes! :: Timber Rattler

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Topic: Timber Rattler (Read 831 times)

Daniel Shaw
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Joined: Mar 2004
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Posts: 33
Location: Burlington IA

Timber Rattler
« Thread Started on May 7, 2004, 1:05am »

This is one of Iowas largest venomous snakes, measuring out 36"-60" with the record at 74 1/4". They also share the "heart shaped" head. They range in color from yellow to brown, with or without rusty orange strip going down the center of its back. There are thin black bands or chevrons that run across the back the entire length of the snake. They are found most commonly near the Mississippi river and various areas in the southern third of the state. They prefer to live in steep bluffs with rocky outcroppings. They favor the south and southwest sides of the bluffs and spend a majority of their time in sunny open areas surrounded by forest. They are also a passive snake, usually sitting still hoping you do not see them or will try to slither away without rattling. When rattlesnakes do rattle, they elevate the rattle and black tail high in the air making the rattle extremely obvious. Non venomous snakes which vibrate their tails and produce a similar sound, will hold their tails close to the ground. One common myth is that you can tell how old a rattler is by how many rattles it has in its tail. The truth of the matter is, you will only be able to tell how many times that snake has shed, and it is not uncommon for them to break off, and new ones produce during the shedding phase.

They usually breed in the spring or fall and are sexually mature in 7-12 years. Females only breed every 2-4 years, they give live birth to about a half dozen of 10-13 inch young. The young often stay with the mother until their first shedding.

Timber rattlesnakes feed on small mammals. Mice, chipmunks, ground squirrels, voles, shrews, and squirrels are the majority of its diet. Birds and birds eggs (primarily ground nester's) are consumed at times as well.

The last fatality from a timber rattlesnakes bite in Iowa was in the 1800's.

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