Crotalus horridus

Common names: timber rattlesnake, banded rattlesnake, rattlesnake, American viper,^[2] more.

Crotalus horridus is a venomous pitviper species found in the eastern United States. No subspecies are currently recognized.^[3] This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous northeastern United States^[4] and was featured prominently in the American Revolution, specifically as the symbol of the first Continental Navy in the First Navy Jack.

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Description

  Adults usually grow to an average of 91-152 cm in length.^[4] The maximum reported length is 189.2 cm (Klauber, 1956).^[5]

Like virtually all rattlesnakes, this species can be identified by the distinctive rattle at the end of the tail. Color patterns vary but all have dark, thick and wavy crossbands or stripes. A small hole or "pit", which is a sensory organ unique to all pit vipers, can be seen on each side of the head between the eyes and the nostrils (for more information, see pit viper).

Common names

Timber rattlesnake, banded rattlesnake, rattlesnake, American viper, bastard rattlesnake, black rattlesnake, canebreaker, cane rattler, canebreak rattlesnake, canebreak rattler, chevron rattler, common rattlesnake, common (timber) rattlesnake, eastern rattlesnake, great yellow rattlesnake, mountain rattlesnake, mountain timber rattler, North American (horrid) rattlesnake, northern banded rattlesnake, northern rattlesnake, pit viper, rattlesnake of the bottomlands, rock rattlesnake, Seminole rattler, small rattlesnake, swamp rattler, southern banded rattlesnake, velvet tail, velvet-tail rattler, yellowish brown rattlesnake, yellow rattlesnake.^[2]

Geographic range

Found in the eastern United States from southern Minnesota and southern Maine, south to east Texas and north Florida. It also occurs in southern Canada in southern Ontario. The type locality given is "America", although Schmidt (1953) proposed that this be restricted to "vicinity of New York City" (USA).^[1]

Conservation status

This species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (v3.1, 2001).^[6] Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category. The population trend is down. Year assessed: 2007.^[7]

It is also listed as threatened or endangered in 18 states. It is endangered in Indiana, New Jersey, and Ohio, threatened in Illinois, Minnesota and Texas, and protected in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. In May 2001, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed it as extirpated in Canada.

Numbers have declined largely due to a history of bounty hunting and collecting (in the past). Today, loss of habitat is the primary concern over declining populations in several states protecting the species.

Environmentalists in the New Jersey Pinelands have fought development in rattlesnake sanctuaries. A controversy over the species in Evesham Township, NJ, was the inspiration for the 2006 novel, "Rattled," by Debra Galant (St. Martin's Press).

Habitat

Generally, this species is found in deciduous forests in rugged terrain. During the summer, gravid females seem to prefer open, rocky ledges where the temperatures are higher, while males and non-gravid females tend to spend more time in cooler, denser woodland with a more closed forest canopy.^[8]

Feeding

Their prey is mainly small mammals, but may include small birds, frogs, or other snakes.^[8]

Venom

Initial symptoms of envenomation are pain, burning or tingling sensations, or numbness. The venom is less potent than that of its more dangerous cousins, notably the eastern diamondback (C. adamanteus) and the western diamondback (C. atrox). Though generally not lethal, swelling and tissue damage may occur from a bite. Like all other venomous snakes, it can control the amount of venom that is delivered; as a result, not all reported timber rattlesnake bites state venom was injected into the victim. However, since envenomation is potentially life-threatening [1], any bite from Crotalus horridus should be regarded as a medical emergency which requires immediate hospital treatment.

Taxonomy

The subspecies C. h. atricaudatus (Latreille in Sonnini and Latreille, 1802) -- sometimes regarded as a full species, C. atricaudatus -- is currently not considered valid. It is instead listed as a synonym for C. horridus.^[9]

See also

• List of crotaline species and subspecies
• Crotalus by common name
• Crotalus by taxonomic synonyms
• Crotalinae by common name
• Crotalinae by taxonomic synonyms
• Snakebite

References