Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
*** VENOMOUS ***
** Note: At one time, the Timber Rattlesnake & Canebrake Rattlesnake were considered separate subspecies, however this is no longer the case.
Venomous Snake
Bite Information
| Common Name: | Timber Rattlesnake |
| Scientific Name: | Crotalus horridus |
| Etymology: | |
| Genus: | Crotalus is derived from the Latin word crotalum which means "rattle". |
| Species: | horrid is Latin for 'dreadful'. |
| Vernacular Names: | American viper, bastard rattlesnake, black rattlesnake, common rattlesnake, eastern rattlesnake, great yellow rattlesnake, mountain rattlesnake, northern banded rattlesnake, northern rattlesnake, pit viper, rock rattlesnake, velvet tail, yellow rattlesnake. |
| Average Length: | 30 - 60 in. (90 - 152 cm) |
| Virginia Record Length: | 67.1 in. (170.5 cm) |
| Record length: | 74.5 in. (189.2 cm) |
Timber rattlesnake populations:
Virginia Wildlife Action Plan Rating Tier IV - Moderate Conservation Need - The species may be rare in parts of its range, particularly on the periphery. Populations of these species have demonstrated a significant declining trend or one is suspected which, if continued, is likely to qualify this species for a higher tier in the foreseeable future. Long-term planning is necessary to stabilize or increase populations.
Southeastern "Canebrake" populations:
Virginia Wildlife Action Plan Rating Tier II - Very High Conservation Need - Has a high risk of extinction or extirpation. Populations of these species are at very low levels, facing real threat(s), or occur within a very limited distribution. Immediate management is needed for stabilization and recovery.
Click to view the 2011 DGIF Canebrake Rattlesnake Conservation Plan
Virginia Fish and Wildlife Information Service: Species Booklet *Note the distribution given within the Species Booklet includes historical records.
Photos:
*Click on a thumbnail for a larger version.
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Pulaski Co. |
Douthat State Park |
Douthat State Park |
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DGIF Timber Rattlesnake Video |
Pulaski Co. |
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Male Guarding |