West Virginia’s State Reptile – Timber Rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnakes are found all over Monongahela National Forest and although you probably won't see one, it is possible. The timber rattlesnake is a venomous snake, but there is no reason to be fearful and certainly no reason to hurt or kill them. Timber rattlesnakes, like all our snake species here in West Virginia, are non-aggressive. That means if you leave them alone, they’ll leave you alone. When they see a human their first instinct is to freeze and hope you won’t see them, only when they feel threatened or think you can see them will they rattle. Then all you need to do is step back away from them and they will move away to find cover. Additionally, rattlesnakes and other reptiles and amphibians are protected in West Virginia, so it is illegal to kill them. It is also the state’s official state reptile.
A timber rattlesnake’s life is not necessarily an easy one. They reproduce very slowly, so each snake that dies can impact the genetic health of the population. In the spring, as the snakes move out of their hibernating locations (hibernacula), pregnant females go straight to their warmer maternity or gestation sites, log piles, hollow logs, and rock piles. They typically reproduce only once every 2-3 years because of the energy cost and physiological impacts that gestation has on females. Juvenile survival is dismally low, and to reach maturity is just the same.
Timber rattlesnakes come in colors, from yellow to so black that you can’t see the markings at all. Colors tend to match the terrain the snake lives in, so it is well camouflaged. The middle of the body is fat, and it tapers very quickly to the head and tail. Non-venomous snakes taper off at the ends less abruptly. At the tail end are rattles. It’s believed you can tell a rattlesnake’s age by the number of rattles, but this isn’t true. They get a new rattle every time they shed, but they sometimes shed twice a year, and their rattles can also break off.
An arrow-shaped head indicates a venomous snake, but what is venom? It is not a poison. Venom is a digestive enzyme, or saliva. It is just much stronger than the saliva of most other animals. Venom is not intended for defense, as the snake does not produce enough to kill large prey. Rattlesnakes are ambush predators and will sometimes stay frozen in place for days waiting for prey to walk by. They use rodent runs, resting their jaw on the log. They can feel the rodents running along the branch, and then employ their heat sensing pits to catch the prey. They eat mice, rats, chipmunks, squirrels, and other small rodents, as well as occasionally birds.
Timber rattlesnakes avoid people whenever possible. If you see one, leave it alone and let it be. However, if bitten, seek medical attention immediately and DO NOT use a tourniquet, ice the wound, drink caffeine, or use tobacco products. Also do not cut, suck, or alter the wound in any way.
Help biologists monitor the distribution of timber rattlesnakes in West Virginia.