Timber Rattlesnake (also known as Canebrake Rattlesnake)
Crotalus horridus • Order: Squamata; Suborder: Serpentes; Family: Viperidae; Subfamily: Crotalinae; Genus: Crotalus; Species: Crotalus horridus
Eastern and central United States, from southern Minnesota and New Hampshire south to east Texas and Florida.
Look up Timber Rattlesnake (also known as Canebrake Rattlesnake) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata; Suborder: Serpentes; Family: Viperidae; Subfamily: Crotalinae; Genus: Crotalus; Species: Crotalus horridus
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern globally, but many state-level classifications list it as Threatened or Endangered due to habitat loss, road mortality, and persecution.
Physical Description
Large, heavy-bodied pit viper. Features 'V' or chevron-shaped dark crossbands on a gray, tan, or yellowish-brown background. It has a broad, triangular head, heat-sensing pits, vertical pupils, and a velvety black tail tipped with a rattle.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be an adult, likely 3 to 4 feet long. Adults typically range from 91-152 cm (36-60 inches), with a maximum record of 189 cm (74.5 inches).
Habitat
Upland deciduous forests, rugged terrain with rocky outcroppings, and lowland cane thickets or swamps (the latter previously associated with the 'Canebrake' variant). They prefer areas with heavy leaf litter and fallen logs.
Diet & Feeding
Active forager and ambush predator. Primarily feeds on small mammals like squirrels, rabbits, and rodents, as well as birds. It uses its venom to dispatch prey and follows the scent trail to consume it.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Females have a low reproductive rate, often breeding only every 3-4 years. Litters typically consist of 5-20 neonates born in late summer.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with the Eastern Copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), which has 'hourglass' patterns rather than chevrons and lacks a black tail/rattle. Also confused with Prairie Rattlesnakes (C. viridis), which have blotches rather than bands.
Conservation Status
IUCN: Least Concern globally, but many state-level classifications list it as Threatened or Endangered due to habitat loss, road mortality, and persecution.
Cultural Significance
Historical icon in the American Revolution (featured on the Gadsden 'Don't Tread on Me' flag). Plays a vital ecological role in controlling rodent populations that carry Lyme disease.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the 'Velvet Tail' (solid black tail) and the unique rattle made of keratin segments. It is the only rattlesnake species found in much of the northeastern United States.