Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
- Height: 2″-4″
- Length: 35″-60″
- Weight: 1-10 pounds
- Diet: Carnivorous, eating birds, rodents, and small animals.
- Breeding: July through August.
- Gestation: 90 Days.
- Reproduction: Live birth of 5-14 young late summer through early fall.
- Habitat: Dense wooded areas, limestone rocky areas, and open areas.
- Legal Status: Common in Tennessee, and illegal to harm, capture, or remove from the wild in Tennessee.
- Other Names: Canebrake rattlesnake, banded rattlesnake, yellow rattlesnake, and black rattlesnake.
- Interesting Facts: The timber rattlesnake will have anywhere from 20-30 dark brownish “V” shaped bands on its body. When a Timber rattlesnake sheds its skin, the skin will contain the same pattern. Every year a snake sheds a “button” segment is added to its rattle. Is the largest and most dangerous snake in Tennessee.
The Timber Rattlesnake or (Canebrake Rattlesnake) can on average grow between 35″ and 60″ long. Average weight of a Timber Rattlesnake can be between on average 1-3 lbs, with some large specimens reaching nearly 10lbs. They are usually active between March through October, but depending on geographical location and warmer temperatures, can still be active on winter days. Timber Rattlesnakes give birth between August through late September to live young and can have as many as 14 young. They ares capable of living in the wild 12 years to as many as 30 years, and typically will den up or congregate during winter. Typical food sources of the Timber Rattlesnake can consist of small mammals, including squirrels, birds, amphibians, and even other snakes. Usually shedding its skin every year a new rattle segment will grow, or button on its rattle. The venom of the Timber Rattlesnake is used to immobilize prey, but can be fatal to people if a untreated bite occurs. Venom of a rattlesnake stops blood from clotting, and can destroy tissue and organs. If you happen to be struck, seek medical attention immediately.