If you have ever seen a rattlesnake in the wild, count yourself as one of the lucky ones.
They are rare and even more rare to see.
Hikers and anglers are more likely to see them than most because of the areas they live in, but even those occasions are extremely rare.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to see two timber rattlers in yellow phase and both were in Elk County.
One was near a friend’s camp. It was a warm, summer afternoon and a number of us were invited to camp to spend the day.
Most of us had already arrived and were waiting for the burgers and hot dogs on the grill.
But as the last two arrived at the camp, they excitedly said they had seen one near the grassy road leading to the camp.
Fortunately, I had my camera with me and we all hurriedly walked over to where it was to get a closer look.
He sure was something! He didn’t rattle at first as we enjoyed watching him and I took pictures.
The snake was headed toward the outhouse near the camp and it was decided to help relocate him nearby and out of harm’s way.
No one had snake tongs, but a few forked sticks did the trick to safely move him next to several large blackberry bushes which he slithered under and out of sight.
Then, it happened again, a few years later.
Dad and I were taking Brandi, our beagle pup, for a walk on a remote area on State Game Lands.
We were about a 15-minute walk from where we had parked and there wasn’t anyone else around.
We were walking on a dirt road on Pa. Game Commission land that was behind a gate and only accessible by walking or riding a bike.
Brandi wasn’t leashed and she was slightly ahead of us when I saw something lying off to the side of the road.
I wasn’t sure what I saw at first, but I had an idea and soon enough it was obvious what it was, a timber rattler.
I quickly leashed Brandi because I didn’t want her annoying the snake and getting bit.
It was coiled up, enjoying the morning sun.
We left him alone and walked on and he never rattled or moved.
But when we returned, he was gone.
According to information from the state Fish & Boat Commission, in Pennsylvania, there are only three species of venomous snakes and they all belong to the pit viper family.
A pit viper has a deep pit on each side of its head that it uses to detect the warmth of nearby prey. This helps the snake locate food, especially when hunting in the darkness of night. These pits can be seen between the eyes and nostrils.
All three venomous Pa. snakes have slit-like pupils that are similar to a cat’s eye.
Nonvenomous snakes have round pupils, like a human eye.
Venomous snakes store their venom in a sac on each side of their head. This gives their head a triangular shape.
However, some nonvenomous snakes can also flatten their heads, so using head shape alone is not the best way to identify a venomous snake.
The timber rattlesnake has two different color phases: black and yellow. Both color phases have dark bands on their backs, a head with no markings and a dark tail. Their scales are deeply keeled.
Rattlesnakes add a new “rattle” to their tail each time they shed their skin. These rattles are loosely attached and can break off.
The timber rattlesnake does not always rattle its tail before striking, especially when striking out of fear or defense.
Timber rattlesnakes like wooded hillsides with rocky outcrops.
Up until this summer, the timber rattlesnake was considered a candidate species, meaning that it could have eventually been designated as an endangered species.
But the state Fish & Boat Commission determined the timber rattler no longer met the definition.
“The delisting of the Timber Rattlesnake demonstrates how protective measures and regulations can be successfully implemented to conserve a species and improve a population,” said Executive Director John Arway. “The Commission first listed it as a candidate species in 1978 over reported population declines from overhunting and habitat loss.
“As part of a 12-year statewide assessment project, we have assessed more than 1,700 sites, of which 71 percent were occupied. The Timber Rattlesnake is now found in 51 of 67 counties. Current data indicates that the rattlesnake retains an extensive distribution across the Commonwealth, with large populations remaining in many areas, which justifies removing it from the Candidate list.”
“Today’s decision by our Board to remove the Timber Rattlesnake from the Candidate Species list should be viewed as a success story for the conservation and management of a once vulnerable species of rattlesnake,” he added. “However, we must continue our efforts and not let down our guard to insure that the Timber Rattlesnake continues to be secure across its entire range.”
Rattlesnake hunting season is very limited and ran from June 11 to July 31. Hunters may only take one per year and it must measure 42 inches, not including the rattles.
“The Great Outdoors,” sponsored by the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors, is a weekly blog by exploreClarion.com’s Scott Shindledecker. Plan you next outdoor adventure at VisitPAGO.com or call (814) 849-5197 for more information.
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