# Timber Rattlesnake (*Crotalus horridus*) The Timber Rattlesnake is a special snake known for its loud rattle! It has beautiful patterns on its skin and can be found in forests and mountains. This snake is important for nature and helps keep the balance in its home. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Snaps:** 20 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** Canebrake Rattlesnake, Eastern Rattlesnake, Eastern Timber Rattlesnake, Timber Rattler ![Timber Rattlesnake](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426522/objects/3717.jpg) ## Appearance The Timber Rattlesnake has a heavy body, typically yellow, brown, or gray with dark, V-shaped crossbands. Its head is distinctly triangular, and its tail ends in a segmented rattle. This pattern helps it blend seamlessly into forest environments. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Viperidae - **Genus:** Crotalus ## Interesting facts - A baby rattlesnake is born alive and called a 'neonate!' - Their impressive fangs can be up to an inch long! - They are one of North America's heaviest venomous snakes! - They can wait for weeks or months between meals! ## Special abilities - **Heat Sensing Pits:** Timber Rattlesnake has special heat-sensing pits on its face that help them find warm-blooded prey even in total darkness. - **Expert Camouflage:** Timber Rattlesnake has patterned scales that help them disappear into forest leaf litter and rocky terrain, surprising prey. - **Warning Rattle:** Timber Rattlesnake can vibrate its keratin tail segments to create a loud rattling sound that warns off threats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-180 cm - **Weight:** 0.5-2 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 5-20 ## Diet & Feeding These stealthy hunters eat small mammals and birds, striking quickly with their venom. - **Primary Foods:** mice, voles, squirrels, chipmunks, small birds - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [White-footed Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-footed-mouse) (*Peromyscus leucopus*) — A common prey item in its forest habitat. - **Hunts:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Prey, especially younger squirrels. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Young rattlesnakes are sometimes prey for hawks. ## Traits - [Spotted](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Hibernating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/hibernating): Hibernating animals enter a state of metabolic depression during cold periods or when food is scarce, characterized by reduced body temperature and activity. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme If you see a snake, stay calm and back away slowly. It's best to leave them alone. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Timber Rattlesnake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Timber Rattlesnake? 90-180 cm ### How much does Timber Rattlesnake weigh? 0.5-2 kg ### How long does Timber Rattlesnake live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Timber Rattlesnake move? 5 km/h ### What does Timber Rattlesnake eat? These stealthy hunters eat small mammals and birds, striking quickly with their venom. ### Where is Timber Rattlesnake usually found? Forests ### How does Timber Rattlesnake hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Bullock County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bullock-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Charlotte Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charlotte-street-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lyndon-b-johnson-national-grassland) — Texas, US · National Park - [Skylands](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/skylands) — New Jersey, US · Botanical Garden - [Village of Monroe Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/village-of-monroe-historic-district) — New York, US · Historic District - [Andrews Geyser](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/andrews-geyser) — North Carolina, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Timber Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/timber-rattlesnake) ## Watch - [Play video: Timber Rattlesnake](https://www.snappit.app/videos/timber-rattlesnake) - [YouTube](https://youtube.com/watch?v=gDPRHWOx2QI) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Timber Rattlesnake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/timber-rattlesnake)