DOCSLIB.ORG

Venomous Snakes of Ohio - Sunday, January 29, 2Pm

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Venomous Snakes of Ohio - Sunday, January 29, 2Pm Brown Family Environmental Center at Kenyon College Field Notes Winter 2012 Vol. 16 / No. 1 January, February, March them to determine an animal’s size, so they can avoid large predators or Copperheads shovel-wielding humans. Once a Copperhead bites an animal, Fact & Fiction it lets go of it immediately and waits for the carefully regulated amount of venom to take effect. After an ani- mal is incapacitated, the Copperhead can use its heat-sensitive pits to fol- low a heat trail left by the animal, as well as its ribbon-like, forked tongue to “taste” where the animal has been. Cucumbers & Helicopters No snake is more shrouded in folk- lore, mystery, and misinformation than the Copperhead. Appalachian The Northern Water Snake (left ) is sometimes misidentified as a Copperhead (right). The folklore tells us that a Copperhead chances of seeing an actual Copperhead in Knox County are extremely slim ‐ a verified sight‐ smells like cucumbers when unknow- ing has not occurred since the 1970’s. ingly approached, or just before it bites. Knox County was once home to vast widely encountered like Rat Snakes Black Rat Snakes are also sometimes tracts of old growth forest and many or Garter Snakes. Any unusually referred to as “Pilot” Snakes, based animals that no longer roam the patterned or aggressive snake often on the notion that they lead Copper- countryside, like wolves, mountain becomes a suspected Copperhead. heads to safety, and if a Rat Snake is lions, bison, elk, and the Northern spotted, you can be sure that there is Copperhead. This snake requires large tracts of a Copperhead lurking behind it. wooded, south facing hillsides with The Northern Copperhead large rocks and crevices for hiding (Agkistrodon contortrix mokasen) and hibernating. Feeding mostly on once inhabited 26 counties in south- small mammals such as deer mice, ern and eastern Ohio, but due to chipmunks, and voles, as well as am- Shake, Rattle & Role: habitat loss now inhabits just 8. phibians and other snakes, Copper- Venomous Snakes Though sightings are still rumored in heads are, for the most part, “lie-and- Knox County, the last verified sight- wait” predators that ambushes prey. of Ohio ing occurred in mid-1970’s. Copperheads belong to a group of Sunday, Jan. 29th, 2pm Copperheads are consistently mis- snakes known as pit vipers, which Renowned Ohio snake expert identified for several reasons, firstly have special heat sensitive pits in the and researcher Doug Wynn because they are relatively uncom- front of their face. These pits are will share LIVE examples of mon throughout much of their range. able to form a “picture” of prey using Ohio’s venomous snakes! Where they are common, they are the animal’s body heat, much like an See details on page 6. quite secretive, and therefore are not infrared camera. This also allows Continued page 2 Young men + alcohol = snakebite...page 2 Endangered Lampreys………..page 3 Inside... Winter Robins?.……..………….…… page 5 Calendar of Events................. page 5 PAGE 2 BROWN FAMILY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER VOLUME 16 / NO.1 Another perplexing, yet interesting myth involves black helicopters, cov- ert operations, and turkeys. Starting in the late 1980’s, stories began cir- culating that the state government was reintroducing Copperheads and Timber Rattlesnakes into the wild by flying over large woodlands at night and dropping snakes attached to tiny parachutes to facilitate a safe land- ing. The reason for this: the snakes would eat the eggs and young of Venemous snakes can generally be distinguished from non-venomous Ohio’s growing Turkey population, snakes by their distinctly triangular-shaped head, elliptical pupil, therefore keeping it in check. heat-sensing pits below the nostril, and overlapping scales near the tail. Some of these stories do contain a microscopic bit of truth. Copper- heads, like most snakes, release a human error is to blame much more worse than the injury, and lead to scent, or “musk”, when threatened, than the snake. infection, loss of a limb, or aid the although it doesn’t smell very much delivery of venom by accelerating the like cucumber. Consider these statistics: heart or thinning the blood. Copperheads, Rattlesnakes, and ♦ Most venomous snake bites in- If bitten by a venomous snake, the Black Rat Snakes all hibernate in volve consumption of alcohol. first and best rule is to stay calm and similar areas, often a deep rocky seek medical attention. Then posi- crevice on a sunny slope. During ♦ Men between the ages of 16 and tion yourself so the bitten arm or leg Ohio’s settlement in the early 19th 25 account for about 95% of all ven- is below heart level, gently cleanse century, settlers often found these omous snake bites in the US, and are the wound with soap and water, and and other snakes seemingly “living” typically bitten on the hands and apply a loose sterile bandage. together in these areas, and some- fingers - in other words, while pro- where the myth of the “Pilot Snake” voking a snake. To help prevent snakebite in the was born. wild, always remember to watch ♦ Women of all ages account for where you put your hands and feet, As far as helicopters and parachuting just 5% of snake bites and are often wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes snakes, this is a classic urban legend bitten on the ankles and feet - likely (not sandals or flipflops), never pick that plays on our fear of snakes and accidental bites to sandal wearers. up a snake, and have a healthy re- social or political anxiety, and will spect for all of the natural world. resurface when, like most urban leg- ♦ The American Association of Poi- ends, it is needed. son Control Centers has not reported Misidentified a Copperhead fatality since 1983. Misunderstood Copperhead bites cause sickness, but Because of their limited range and they are lethal only to the very secretive nature, Copperheads are Copperheads are commonly thought young, old, or ill. not commonly seen. If you did hap- to be aggressive, but just the opposite pen across one, you would notice is true. Unlike their close cousin, the Because knowledge can help conquer these traits: Timber Rattlesnake, Copperheads fear, and because old western movies ♦ Triangular, copper-colored head lack the auditory warning system a are a persistent, errant form of ♦ Dark brown hour-glass shaped rattle provides. They instead rely on snakebite first aid knowledge, we pattern along back cryptic coloration, not aggression, to thought we’d include some tips in the ♦ Vertical “cat-like” pupils avoid interaction with humans and event that you are bitten by a venom- ♦ Heat sensitive pit between eye predators. They prefer to hide in ous snake. and nostril leafy debris and go unnoticed. ♦ Short, stocky body Here’s what not to do: apply a tourni- If a Copperhead bites, often it is be- quet, cut the wound open, attempt to Two other Ohio snakes have pattern- cause it was unnecessarily handled suck out the venom, or drink alcohol, ing that could, at first glance, appear or stepped on accidentally. In almost coffee, or soda. While once accepted similar: the Milk Snake ALL cases of venomous snake bite, forms of treatment, they were often (Lampropeltis triangulum) and North- Continued on page 7 VOLUME 16 / NO.1 BROWN FAMILY ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER PAGE 3 On the Ground by Facility Manager David Heithaus Regardless of what any astrological Thanks to some unexpected project skid loader, all 35 trees, 250 feet of paradigms might assert, the prevail- contributions, we’ve been able to take snow fence, a cellular phone, a plas- ing theme of 2011 has been one of the Grove one giant step beyond tic culvert, 4 goats, 6 cows, a garden water. Lots of water. Generally, the what we had imagined possible last hoe and one rubber boot. Most are fall and early winter is a great time year. Over 35 trees ranging in now safely where they belong. to get things done without all the height from 7-10 feet were planted muss and muddy fuss of spring. The the week before Christmas. These Mountain brook whats? ground is dry and/or frozen; getting include American persimmons, sas- Speaking of things that actually be- around is a piece of cake. Not so in safras, black gum and four new va- long in mud and water, the presence 2011… rieties of oak. of the state-endangered mountain brook lamprey was recently con- Wettest year on record It is no secret that I rather enjoy firmed in the Kokosing River right planting trees and watching them here at the BFEC. While a hiccup in our data collection grow… terribly inconvenient as I am does not allow us to confirm or deny a) generally planting very small trees The mountain brook lamprey is this with absolute certainty, data and b) extremely impatient. So the found in only two river systems in from surrounding areas suggests Grove’s Holiday Surprise was a great the state (the West Branch of the that we have surpassed the previous personal treat for me as well. While Mahoning, between Akron and record for wettest year ever with there is no doubt that both the Land Youngstown, being the other). In the rainfall totals likely above 55 inches. Lords (a Kenyon student volunteer lower Kokosing these peculiar fish group) and BFEC staff will find more are not entirely uncommon in areas With the standard laundry list of fall tweaks and fixes (read: mangling of soft, sandy sediment. Even so, you and winter projects getting com- invasive plants that persist), the hill- could spend a lifetime splashing from pressed into a shorter and shorter side is now officially full and I believe the headwaters to the confluence chunk of soggy-looking time before we can finally say that Givens’ Grove without ever seeing one.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Timber Rattlesnake: Pennsylvania’S Uncanny Mountain Denizen
    The Timber Rattlesnake: Pennsylvania’s Uncanny Mountain Denizen photo-Steve Shaffer by Christopher A. Urban breath, “the only good snake is a dead snake.” Others are Chief, Natural Diversity Section fascinated or drawn to the critter for its perceived danger- ous appeal or unusual size compared to other Pennsylva- Who would think that in one of the most populated nia snakes. If left unprovoked, the timber rattlesnake is states in the eastern U.S., you could find a rattlesnake in actually one of Pennsylvania’s more timid and docile the mountains of Penn’s Woods? As it turns out, most snake species, striking only when cornered or threatened. timber rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania are found on public Needless to say, the Pennsylvania timber rattlesnake is an land above 1,800 feet elevation. Of the three venomous intriguing critter of Pennsylvania’s wilderness. snakes that occur in Pennsylvania, most people have heard about this one. It strikes fear in the hearts of some Description and elicits fascination in others. When the word “rattler” The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is a large comes up, you may hear some folks grumble under their (up to 74 inches), heavy-bodied snake of the pit viper www.fish.state.pa.us Pennsylvania Angler & Boater, January-February 2004 17 family (Viperidae). This snake has transverse “V”-shaped or chevronlike dark bands on a gray, yellow, black or brown body color. The tail is completely black with a rattle. The head is large, flat and triangular, with two thermal-sensitive pits between the eyes and the nostrils. The timber rattlesnake’s head color has two distinct color phases.
    [Show full text]
  • Avoiding and Treating Timber Rattlesnake Bites Updated 2020
    Avoiding and Treating Timber Rattlesnake Bites Updated 2020 Timber rattlesnakes live in the blufflands of southeastern Minnesota. They are not found anywhere else in the state. They can be distinguished from nonvenomous snakes by a pronounced off white rattle at the end of a black tail; by their head, which is solid brown/tan, triangular shaped, and noticeably larger than their slender neck; and by the dark, black bands or chevrons running across their body. The bands often resemble the black stripe on the cartoon character Charlie Brown’s shirt. The question that often arises when the word rattlesnake comes up is, “What if one bites me?” The likelihood of being bitten by a rattlesnake is quite small. Timber rattlesnakes are generally very docile snakes and typically bite as a last resort. Instead, its instincts are to avoid danger by retreating to cover or by hiding using its camouflage coloration to blend into its surroundings. If cornered and provoked, a timber rattlesnake may respond aggressively. It will usually rattle its tail to let you know it is getting agitated. The snake may even puff itself up to appear bigger. Upon further provocation, the snake may bluff strike, where it lunges out, but doesn’t open its mouth or it may strike with an open mouth. Because venom is costly for a rattlesnake to produce, and you are not considered food, a snake often will not actively inject venom when it bites. In fact, nearly half of all timber rattlesnake bites to humans contain little to no venom, commonly referred to as dry or medically insignificant bites.
    [Show full text]
  • Canebrake (A.K.A. Timber) Rattlesnake
    Canebrake (a.k.a. Timber) Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus Upland Snake Species Profile Venomous Range and Appearance: This species ranges from New England through North Florida, and westward to central Texas and southern Minnesota. In the northern portion of their range, they are referred to as timber rattlesnakes and in the southern portion of the range they are often called canebrake rattlesnakes. Both names refer to the same species, although there are color differences that vary latitudinally. With the exception of nearly jet-black animals which occur in the Northeast, this species has a series of brown chevrons that extend the length of the body. They have keeled scales and the base color can be brown, greenish- Name Game gray, or creamy-yellow. Individuals in the southeast The genus, Crotalus, roughly translates to “rattle”. may have a pink hue. Canebrakes often have a The species epithet, horridus, means “frightful”. brown stripe that runs down the middle of their back, a characteristic not present in northern populations. Neonates (newborn snakes) have Natural History: Canebrake rattlesnakes are pit- similar color patterns as adults. Exceptionally large vipers that belong to the family Viperidae. They are canebrakes can measure over 8 feet, but most ambush predators and may spend several weeks in adult animals range between 4 to 6 feet in length. the same location waiting to strike at a potential meal. Adults typically feed on rodents, such as chipmunks, rats, mice, voles, and squirrels. In Rattlesnake Myth addition to sight and smell, rattlesnakes have a Rattlesnakes grow a new rattle segment loreal pit that allows them to detect infrared during each shed cycle.
    [Show full text]
  • FAMILY VIPERIDAE: VENOMOUS “Pit Vipers” Whose Fangs Fold up Against the Roof of Their Mouth, Such As Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths
    FAMILY VIPERIDAE: VENOMOUS “pit vipers” whose fangs fold up against the roof of their mouth, such as rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths COPPERHEAD—Agkistrodon contortrix Uncommon to common. Copperheads are found in wet wooded areas, high areas in swamps, and mountainous habitats, although they may be encountered occasionally in most terrestrial habitats. Adults usually are 2 to 3 ft. long. Their general appearance is light brown or pinkish with darker, saddle-shaped crossbands. The head is solid brown. Their leaf-pattern camouflage permits copperheads to be sit- Juvenile copper- heads and-wait predators, concealed not only from their prey but also from their enemies. Copperheads feed on mice, small birds, lizards, snakes, amphibians, and insects, especially cicadas. Like young cottonmouths, baby copperheads have a bright yellow tail that is used to lure small prey animals. 0123ft. Heat-sensing “pit” characteristic of pit vipers CANEBRAKE OR TIMBER RATTLESNAKE—Crotalus horridus Mountain form Common. This species occupies a wide diversity of terrestrial habitats, but is found most frequently in deciduous forests and high ground in swamps. Heavy-bodied adults are usually 3 to 4, and occasionally 5, ft. long. Their basic color is gray with black crossbands that usually are chevron-shaped. Timber rattlesnakes feed on various rodents, rabbits, and occasionally birds. These rattlesnakes are generally passive if not disturbed or pestered in some way. When a rattlesnake is Coastal plain form encountered, the safest reaction is to back away--it will not try to attack you if you leave it alone. 012345 ft. EASTERN DIAMONDBACK RATTLESNAKE— Crotalus adamanteus Rare. This rattlesnake is found in both wet and dry terrestrial habitats including palmetto stands, pine woods, and swamp margins.
    [Show full text]
  • Rattlesnake Tales 127
    Hamell and Fox Rattlesnake Tales 127 Rattlesnake Tales George Hamell and William A. Fox Archaeological evidence from the Northeast and from selected Mississippian sites is presented and combined with ethnographic, historic and linguistic data to investigate the symbolic significance of the rattlesnake to northeastern Native groups. The authors argue that the rattlesnake is, chief and foremost, the pre-eminent shaman with a (gourd) medicine rattle attached to his tail. A strong and pervasive association of serpents, including rattlesnakes, with lightning and rainfall is argued to have resulted in a drought-related ceremo- nial expression among Ontario Iroquoians from circa A.D. 1200 -1450. The Rattlesnake and Associates Personified (Crotalus admanteus) rattlesnake man-being held a special fascination for the Northern Iroquoians Few, if any of the other-than-human kinds of (Figure 2). people that populate the mythical realities of the This is unexpected because the historic range of North American Indians are held in greater the eastern diamondback rattlesnake did not esteem than the rattlesnake man-being,1 a grand- extend northward into the homeland of the father, and the proto-typical shaman and warrior Northern Iroquoians. However, by the later sev- (Hamell 1979:Figures 17, 19-21; 1998:258, enteenth century, the historic range of the 264-266, 270-271; cf. Klauber 1972, II:1116- Northern Iroquoians and the Iroquois proper 1219) (Figure 1). Real humans and the other- extended southward into the homeland of the than-human kinds of people around them con- eastern diamondback rattlesnake. By this time the stitute a social world, a three-dimensional net- Seneca and other Iroquois had also incorporated work of kinsmen, governed by the rule of reci- and assimilated into their identities individuals procity and with the intensity of the reciprocity and families from throughout the Great Lakes correlated with the social, geographical, and region and southward into Virginia and the sometimes mythical distance between them Carolinas.
    [Show full text]
  • Big Creek Rare Assessment
    Rare Communities and Species of the Big Creek Watershed The Cherokee National Forest (CNF) Revised Land and Resource Management Plan designates certain habitats as rare biological communities and provides for their maintenance and restoration under the 9F prescription. Rare communities are groupings of plants and animals that contribute significantly to biological diversity even though they are generally confined to small areas. The Big Creek (BC) watershed includes a wide variety of habitats from a deep stream and river gorges to high elevation balds, resulting in a scattering of rare communities. Rare Communities Laurel Branch, Gulf Branch, and Raven Cliffs Three areas with cliffs are known from the BC watershed. The cliffs at Laurel Branch and Gulf Branch are dry rock outcrops below the crest of ridges along Round Mountain. The Raven cliffs are in the Trail Fork gorge and appear to have some dry areas as well as some wet slopes where small streams flow down the walls of the gorge. These steep to vertical or overhanging rock outcrops are examples of Southern Appalachian montane cliffs. They are usually on lower slopes, particularly in river gorges or bluffs. Vegetation is sparse, growing on bare rock, small ledges, and crevices, and is made up primarily of bryophytes, lichens, and herbs, with few trees and shrubs rooted in crevices and deeper soil pockets (NatureServe 2007). Eastern small-footed bat, a Forest Service sensitive species, roosts in the crevices of some of these cliffs. Max Patch A Southern Appalachian grassy bald occurs at Max Patch. Balds occur in the Southern Appalachian on high elevation peaks and saddles.
    [Show full text]
  • Timber Rattlesnake
    VENOMOUS SNAKES FACT SHEET SERIES georgiawildlife.com Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus The Timber Rattlesnake is a large and commonly encountered snake. However, they are actually rather shy and avoid development and interaction as much as possible. Description Timber rattlesnakes are large and heavy-bodied. The body is covered in keeled scales, and the anal plate is undivided. The general pattern is a series of butterfly-shaped saddles transitioning to rounded or hard-edged bands going across the back. There may or may not be a stripe coming from the eyes to the back of the jaw. Young timber rattlesnakes look like adults but are only about a foot long at birth and grayish in color. The head is wide and gracefully angled and is distinctly wider than the neck. Like other pit vipers, there is a pit on each side of the face in between the eye and the nostril. These heat sensitive pits enable the snakes to locate and accurately strike at warm-blooded prey. The tail is solid black, earning the Photo by Berkeley Boone species the local name of ‘Velvet Tail’. Like other rattlesnake species, they have rattles on the end of the tail. The rattles are made of hollow individual ringed segments of keratin, which when shaken clack against each other and create a loud, harsh buzzing sound. Range & Habitat Timber rattlesnakes are found throughout the entirety of Georgia, except for a few locations in the extreme southwestern corner. In the United States, they are found across most of the eastern half of the country. They prefer wooded, undisturbed areas—especially mixed pine-hardwood forests.
    [Show full text]
  • The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus Horridus) in Brown County State Park
    Frequently Asked Questions The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in Brown County State Park One of the only places in Indiana that you might find the Timber Rattlesnake is at Brown County State Park (BCSP). One of the important purposes of our state parks in Indiana is to conserve pieces of original Indiana, which helps maintain biological diversity and provides Hoosiers with opportunities to see and understand the natural history of our state. That conservation includes trees, wildflowers, mammals, birds….and snakes, too. This FAQ provides some basic information about the Timber Rattlesnake, which is one of the venomous snakes found in the park and is also one of the most misunderstood species in the park. Photo by S. Gibson 1. What is the status of the Timber Rattlesnake in Indiana? Timber Rattlesnakes are considered a state endangered species. There are concerns regarding population declines for this species across most of its entire range. 2. How large is the rattlesnake and what morphologic (form, structure, color) types are found? Timber Rattlesnakes are heavy-bodied vipers that can reach up to 6 feet in length at maturity. Rattlesnakes found in Brown County are predominately yellow or brown in color. It is rare to find a black color phase in the state. 3. Where do Timber Rattlesnakes live? Timber Rattlesnakes prefer a habitat of dry, rocky ridge-tops of mature oak-hickory. These forested areas are typically interspersed with small openings that help in thermoregulation, gestation, and ecdysis (shedding). Timber rattlers tend to avoid manicured openings. In areas where rattlesnakes are present on BCSP property, human activity centers are typically kept mowed and cleared of woody debris.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effect of Agkistrodon Contortrix and Crotalus Horridus Venom Toxicity on Strike Locations with Live Prey
    University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Honors Theses, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Honors Program 5-2021 The Effect of Agkistrodon Contortrix and Crotalus Horridus Venom Toxicity on Strike Locations with Live Prey. Chase Giese University of Nebraska-Lincoln Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorstheses Part of the Animal Experimentation and Research Commons, Higher Education Commons, and the Zoology Commons Giese, Chase, "The Effect of Agkistrodon Contortrix and Crotalus Horridus Venom Toxicity on Strike Locations with Live Prey." (2021). Honors Theses, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 350. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/honorstheses/350 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Honors Program at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Honors Theses, University of Nebraska-Lincoln by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. THE EFFECT OF AGKISTRODON COTORTRIX AND CROTALUS HORRIDUS VENOM TOXICITY ON STRIKE LOCATIONS WITH LIVE PREY by Chase Giese AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Environmental Studies Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Bachelor of Science Major: Fisheries and Wildlife With the Emphasis of: Zoo Animal Care Under the Supervision of Dennis Ferraro Lincoln, Nebraska May 2021 1 Abstract THE EFFECT OF AGKISTRODON COTORTRIX AND CROTALUS HORRIDUS VENOM TOXICITY ON STRIKE LOCATIONS WITH LIVE PREY Chase Giese, B.S. University of Nebraska, 2021 Advisor: Dennis Ferraro This paper aims to uncover if there is a significant difference in the strike location of snake species that have different values of LD50% venom.
    [Show full text]
  • AG-472-02 Snakes
    Snakes Contents Intro ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................1 What are Snakes? ...............................................................1 Biology of Snakes ...............................................................1 Why are Snakes Important? ............................................1 People and Snakes ............................................................3 Where are Snakes? ............................................................1 Managing Snakes ...............................................................3 Family Colubridae ...............................................................................................................................................................................................5 Eastern Worm Snake—Harmless .................................5 Red-Bellied Water Snake—Harmless ....................... 11 Scarlet Snake—Harmless ................................................5 Banded Water Snake—Harmless ............................... 11 Black Racer—Harmless ....................................................5 Northern Water Snake—Harmless ............................12 Ring-Necked Snake—Harmless ....................................6 Brown Water Snake—Harmless .................................12 Mud Snake—Harmless ....................................................6 Rough Green Snake—Harmless .................................12
    [Show full text]
  • Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus Horridus
    Appendix A: Reptiles Timber Rattlesnake Crotalus horridus Federal Listing N/A State Listing E Global Rank State Rank S1 Regional Status Very High Photo by Brendan Clifford Justification (Reason for Concern in NH) The Northeast Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Technical Committee determined that the timber rattlesnake is a species of regional concern in the northeastern United States (Therres 1999). This species warrants federal endangered or threatened species listing consideration, including prelisting status reviews (Therres 1999). In New England, timber rattlesnakes are listed as extirpated in Maine and Rhode Island, and endangered in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. In New Hampshire, the timber rattlesnake is likely the most endangered of any wildlife species, as there is only one known extant population. Timber rattlesnakes have large home ranges, especially males, and individuals may be killed as they cross roads or as human‐snake encounters increase. Southern New Hampshire is rapidly developing, and large undeveloped tracts of land needed to sustain timber rattlesnake populations are dwindling rapidly. As a result, opportunities for natural recolonization or restoration have been substantially reduced. More recently, an emerging snake fungal disease has been implicated in population declines of timber rattlesnakes in multiple northeastern states including the NH population. Distribution Rattlesnakes have been historically reported from scattered locations throughout the southern half of the state, extending into the White Mountains. Clusters of reports came from along the Connecticut River in the southwest corner of the state, along the Merrimack River, the Lakes Region, and from the edge of the White Mountains. Historic locations for timber rattlesnakes included Rattlesnake Island in Lake Winnipesaukee (reportedly the site of heavy nineteenth century persecution for the manufacture of rattlesnake oil (Oliver and Bailey 1939)), and other locations near the lake; the Mt.
    [Show full text]
  • RATTLESNAKES Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Conservation Biology University of California Davis, California 95616
    Walter E. Howard Professor Emeritus of Wildlife Biology and Vertebrate Ecology RATTLESNAKES Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Conservation Biology University of California Davis, California 95616 Fig. 1. Prairie rattlesnake, Crotalus viridis viridis Introduction Trapping Damage Prevention and Rattlesnakes are distinctly American Control Methods* Effective in some situations when serpents. They all have a jointed rattle properly placed. at the tip of the tail, except for one rare Exclusion Glue boards are useful in removing species on an island off the Mexican Construct a snake-proof fence around rattlesnakes from buildings. coast. This chapter concerns the genus areas of human activity. Crotalus, of the pit viper family Shooting Crotalidae, suborder Serpentes. Since Seal entrances to buildings and snakes evolved from lizards, both structures. Effective where safe. groups make up the order Squamata. Habitat Modification Other Methods This article describes the characteris- Eliminate shelter for snakes. Organized snake hunts may be tics of the common species of rattle- successful in spring or early snakes that belong to the genus Control rodents; they attract snakes. summer. Crotalus. These include the eastern Repellents Snake Bite diamondback, (C. adamanteus); the None are available. western diamond (back) rattlesnake, Wear protective clothing and be (C. atrox); the red diamond rattlesnake, Toxicants careful when climbing and walking. (C. ruber); the Mohave rattlesnake, None are available. If a bite occurs, keep the victim calm, (C. scutulatus); the sidewinder, (C. warm, and reassured. Seek medical ceraster); timber rattlesnake, (C. Fumigants attention immediately. horridus); three subspecies of the west- Generally not effective in dens. ern rattlesnake, (C. viridis): the prairie rattlesnake (C.
    [Show full text]