Timber rattlesnake
Timber rattlesnake | |
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A wild C. horridus encountered within Cooper's Rock State Forest , West Virginia, United States.
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Viperidae |
Genus: | Crotalus |
Species: | C. horridus
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Binomial name | |
Crotalus horridus | |
Timber rattlesnake range[4] | |
Synonyms[5] | |
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The timber rattlesnake, canebrake rattlesnake, or banded rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
Taxonomy
The timber rattlesnake was one of the many reptile species originally described by Carl Linnaeus in the landmark 1758 10th edition of his Systema Naturae, and still bears its original name Crotalus horridus.[12]
The subspecies C. h. atricaudatus (Latreille in Sonnini and Latreille, 1802), often referred to as the canebrake rattlesnake,[6] is currently considered invalid.[10][13] Previously, it was recognized by Gloyd (1936) and Klauber (1936). Based on an analysis of geographic variation, Pisani et al. (1972) concluded no subspecies should be recognized. This was rejected by Conant (1975), but followed by Collins and Knight (1980). Brown and Ernst (1986) found evidence for retaining the two subspecies, but stating them apart without having more information than usual is not possible, including adult size, color pattern, the number of dorsal scale rows, and the number of ventral scales. Dundee and Rossman (1989) recognized C. h. atricaudatus, but others take a more neutral point of view.[14]
The timber rattlesnake is one of 36 species in the genus Crotalus. This genus can be distinguished from Sistrurus by the small scales atop the head, rather than nine large scales found on Sistrurus. [15]
Description
Adults usually grow to total length of 91–152 cm (36–60 in).[8] In Pennsylvania, the smallest size females that could produce viable eggs was 72.2 cm (28.4 in).[16] Most adult timber rattlesnakes found measure less than 115 cm (45 in) in total length and weigh between 500 and 1,500 g (1.1 and 3.3 lb), often being towards the lower end of that range.[17][18][19][20] The maximum reported total length is 189.2 cm (74.5 in) (Klauber, 1956). Holt (1924) mentions a large specimen caught in Montgomery County, Alabama, which had a total length of 159 cm (62.5 in) and weighed 2.5 kg (5.5 lb).[14] Large specimens can reportedly weigh as much as 4.5 kg (9.9 lb).[21]
The
Distribution and habitat
Timber rattlesnakes are present in the eastern United States from southern Minnesota and southern New Hampshire, south to East Texas and North Florida.[26] One hundred and fifteen rattlesnakes have been marked within Brown County State Park in Indiana, one of the few places where they can be found in the state.[27]
Its historic range includes southern Ontario and southern Quebec in Canada,[5] but in May 2001, the Canadian Species at Risk Act listed it as extirpated in Canada.[28] A Canadian government sponsored recovery strategy is under study to support the reintroducing of this predator of many pests to its former Canadian habitat.[29]
Many were present in some of the thick forest areas of central and southeastern Iowa, mostly within the Mississippi, Skunk, Iowa, and Des Moines River valleys, in several places in these areas; bites from timber rattlesnakes have been widespread, especially in a localized area of Geode State Park, in southeastern Henry County, along Credit Island Park, in southern Scott County, and in the forested areas of southern Clinton County. The museum at Amana Colony, Iowa, asserts that one founding family lost their firstborn, a daughter, at the age of three, due to a rattlesnake bite she received while playing on a woodpile in the 19th century.[citation needed]
In Pennsylvania, it is not heavily present west of Chestnut Ridge, which is in the Laurel Highlands, nor is it heavily present in the more urban areas of the southeastern corner of the state. Thus, its range does not include Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the two largest cities in Pennsylvania.[8]
C. horridus is extirpated from Michigan, Delaware, Maine and Rhode Island, and is considered close to extirpation in New Hampshire.
Generally, this species is found in deciduous forests in rugged terrain. C. horridus can be found in a variety of terrestrial habitats including lowland cane thickets, high areas around swamps and river floodplains, hardwood and pine forests, mountainous areas, and rural habitats in farming areas.[25] During the summer, gravid (pregnant) females seem to prefer open, rocky ledges where the temperatures are higher, while males and nongravid females tend to spend more time in cooler, denser woodland with more closed forest canopy.[30]
Behavior
Female timber rattlers often bask in the sun before giving birth, in open rocky areas known as "basking knolls".[31]
During the winter, timber rattlesnakes
Males often mate farther away from winter hibernacula than females.[36]
A lifetime reproduction study of a population in the Adirondack Mountains of New York found that the first reproduction occurs at a mean age of 9.6 years. The mean length of reproductive cycles is 4.2 years, the mean reproductive life span is 9.6 years, and the average fecundity is 7.7 offspring per litter. Nonviable offspring were found in 20% of the field litters. Most females only reproduced once. Macrogeographic differences were observed within the population and may have correlated resource levels influencing growth rates and additionally human encounters could influence survival.[37]
Feeding
Their prey are mainly small
Prey sometimes exhibit anti-snake displays like tail-flagging, but timber rattlesnakes show no immediate or overt response to these displays. There is no rattling, striking, or other defensive behavior in response to prey anti-snake displays.[43]
Venom
Potentially, this is one of North America's most dangerous snakes, due to its long fangs, impressive size, and high venom yield. This is to some degree offset by its relatively mild disposition[44] and long brumation period. Before striking, they often perform a good deal of preliminary rattling and feinting.[45] Cist (1845) described how he lived in western Pennsylvania for many years, and the species was quite common there, but in all that time, he heard of only a single death resulting from its bite.[6]
Considerable geographic and ontogenetic variation occurs regarding the toxicity of the venom, which can be said for many rattlesnake species. Four venom patterns have been described for this species: Type A is largely neurotoxic, and is found in various parts of the southern range. One effect of the toxin can be generalized myokymia.[46] Type B is hemorrhagic and proteolytic, and is found consistently in the north and in parts of the southeast. Type A + B is found in areas where the aforementioned types apparently intergrade in southwestern Arkansas and northern Louisiana. Type C venom has none of the above components and is relatively weak.[44]
The neurotoxic component of the type A venom is referred to as canebrake toxin, and is a phospholipase A2. It is analogous to the neurotoxins found in the venoms of several other rattlesnake species, and when present, contributes significantly to the overall toxicity. Other components found in the venom include a small basic peptide that works as a myotoxin, a fibrinogen-clotting enzyme that can produce defibrination syndrome, and a bradykinin-releasing enzyme.[44]
Symbol
The timber rattlesnake was designated the
This snake became a prominent symbol of American anger and resolve during the American Revolution due to its fearsome reputation. In the 18th century, European-trained doctors and scientists had little firsthand experience with or information on timber rattlesnakes,[50] and treatment of their bites was poorly effective. The motto Nemo me impune lacesset (with the verb in the future tense) appears above a Crotalus horridus on a 1778 $20 bill from Georgia as an early example of the colonial use of the coiled rattlesnake symbol, which later became famous on the Gadsden flag, a flag that has been used by advocates of libertarianism, individualism, and small government.[51][52]
Conservation status
This species is classified as least concern on the IUCN Red List (assessed in 2007).[2] Species are listed as such due to their wide distribution, presumed large population, or because they are unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.[53]
The timber rattlesnake is listed as endangered in New Jersey, Ohio, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts,[54] Virginia, Indiana,[55][56] New York,[57] Illinois,[58] and New Hampshire.[59]
In New York, timber rattlesnakes are "extirpated at 26% of historically known dens, and nearly extirpated at another 5%".[60] Brown (1984, 1988) suggested denning populations in New York have been reduced by 50 to 75% of their historical numbers.
In Massachusetts, the snakes are active from mid-May to mid-October.
Timber rattlesnakes have already been extirpated in Maine and Rhode Island and only one population remains in New Hampshire. They are protected in many of the Appalachian states, but their populations continue to decline.[66] While C. horridus was historically abundant throughout New England, there has been a recent decline in the last known population in New Hampshire that is heading toward extinction because of genetic isolation, inbreeding, and stochastic weather events that render the population susceptible to opportunistic pathogens.[32]
See also
References
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- ^ NatureServe (2 June 2023). "Crotalus horridus". NatureServe Network Biodiversity Location Data accessed through NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia: NatureServe. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
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- ^ ISBN 1-893777-01-4(volume).
- ^ ISBN 0-8014-0463-0. (Crotalus horridus, pp. 956–966.)
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- ^ ISBN 0-395-19977-8(paperback). (Crotalus horridus, pp. 233–235 + Plate 35 + Map 178.)
- ^ Brown WS (1991). Female Reproductive Ecology in a Northern Population of the Timber Rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus ". Herpetologica 47 (1): 101-115.
- ^ a b Crotalus horridus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 13 March 2023.
- ^ "Crotalus horridus ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ Linnaeus, Carl (1758). Systema Naturae per Regna Tria Naturae, Secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis (in Latin). Vol. I (10th revised ed.). Holmiae: (Laurentii Salvii). p. 214 – via The Internet Archive.
- ^ "Crotalus horridus atricaudatus ". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ ISBN 0-8014-4141-2. [page needed]
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- ^ Galligan JH, Dunson WA (1979). "Biology and status of timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) populations in Pennsylvania". Biological Conservation 15 (1): 13-58.
- ^ Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). Tpwd.state.tx.us. Retrieved on 2013-01-05.
- (2004). "A field study of the timber rattlesnake in Leavenworth County, Kansas". Journal of Kansas Herpetology 11: 18-24.
- ^ Brown WS, Kéry M, Hines JE (2007). "Survival of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) estimated by capture-recapture models in relation to age, sex, color morph, time, and birthplace". Copeia 2007 (3): 656-671.
- ^ Clark RW (2006). "Fixed Videography to Study Predation Behavior of an Ambush Foraging Snake, Crotalus horridus ". Copeia 2006 (2): 181-187.
- ^ ANIMAL BYTES – Canebrake Rattlesnake. Seaworld.org. Retrieved on 2013-01-05.
- ISBN 0-394-50824-6. (Crotalus horridus, pp. 688–689 + Plates 619, 620, 653.)
- ^ Boulenger GA (1896). Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum (Natural History), Volume III., Containing the ... Viperidæ. London: Trustees of the British Museum (Natural History). (Taylor and Francis, printers). xiv + 727 pp. + Plates I-XXV. (Crotalus horridus, pp. 578–580).
- ^ Davis DD(1941). Field Book of Snakes of the United States and Canada. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 365 pp. (Crotalus horridus horridus, pp. 301–302 + Plate 33; Crotalus horridus atricaudatus, p. 302).
- ^ a b "Species Profile: Canebrake / Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) | SREL Herpetology". srelherp.uga.edu. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
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- ^ "The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) in Brown County State Park" (PDF). Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
- ^ Crotalus horridus Archived 2016-04-01 at the Wayback Machine at Species at Risk Public Registry Archived 2016-12-24 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 23 June 2008.
- ^ Please select all that apply (2 December 2009). "Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus): recovery strategy 2010". Canada.ca. Retrieved 2022-03-20.
- ^ a b Timber Rattlesnake Fact Sheet at NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Accessed 8 February 2007.
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- ^ a b Reinert HK, Cundall D, Bushar LM (1984). "Foraging behavior of the timber rattlesnake, Crotalus horridus ". Copeia 1984: 976-981.
- ^ Platt SG, Hawkes AW, Rainwater TR (2001). "Diet of the canebrake rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus atricaudatus): An additional record and review". Texas Journal of Science 53 (2): 115-120.
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- ^ "MAVIN 2013-05-14, Crotalus horridus horridus ". Toxinfo.org. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
- ^ "Senate concurrent resolution 28 (bill status 2008 regular session)". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved February 22, 2011.
- ^ "Senate concurrent resolution no. 28". 1st session of the 80th legislature. West Virginia Legislature. 2008. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
- ^ Bryson, Bill (2004). A Short History of Nearly Everything. New York: Broadway Books. p. 81.
- ^ Conversation, The (2021-01-08). "Yellow Gadsden Flag Carries a Long and Shifting History". Snopes. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
- ^ "A Florida license plate has reopened the debate over the 'Don't tread on me' flag". NPR.
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- ^ Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), New Hampshire Fish and Game
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- ^ a b "Timber Rattlesnake: Crotalus horridus " (PDF). Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.
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Further reading
- Ernst CH(1986). "A Study of Variation in Eastern Timber Rattlesnakes, Crotalus horridus Linnae (Serpentes, Viperidae)". Brimleyana 12: 57–74.
- Brown, William S. (July 1987). "Hidden Life of the Timber Rattler". OCLC 643483454.
- Cist C (1845). The Cincinnati Miscellany or Antiquities of the West. vol. 1. Cincinnati. 272 pp.
- Collins JT, Knight JL (1980). "Crotalus horridus Linnaeus. Timber rattlesnake". Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. 253.1 – 253.2.
- Conant R, Bridges W (1939).What Snake Is That? A Field Guide to the Snakes of the United States East of the Rocky Mountains. (with 108 drawings by Edmond Malnate). New York and London: D. Appleton-Century Company. Frontispiece map + viii + 163 pp. + Plates A-C, 1-32. (Crotalus h. horridus, pp. 149–151 + Plate 31, figures 88A & 89; C. h. atricaudatus, pp. 151–152 + Plate 31, figures 88B & 88C).
- Gloyd HK (1936). "The cane-brake rattlesnake". Copeia 1935 (4): 175–178.
- Holt EG (1924). "Additional records for the Alabama herpetological catalogue". Copeia 1924: 100–101.
- ISBN 978-0-9754641-3-7. (Crotalus horridus, pp. 68–71).
- Klauber LM (1936). "Key to the rattlesnakes with summary of characteristics". Trans. San Diego Soc. Nat. Hist. 8 (2): 185–176.
- Klauber LM (1956). Rattlesnakes: Their Habitats, Life Histories, and Influence on Mankind. 2 volumes. Berkeley: University of California Press. 1,476 pp.
- Linnaeus C (1758). Systema naturæ per regna tria naturæ, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio Decima, Reformata [Volume I, Tenth Edition, Revised]. Stockholm: L. Salvius. (Crotalus horridus, new species, p. 214). (in Latin).
- McCoy CJ (1980). Identification Guide to Pennsylvania Snakes. (Design and illustrations by Michael Antonoplos). Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Carnegie Museum of Natural History. 12 pp. (Crotalus horridus, pp. 10–11).
- Morris PA (1948). Boy's Book of Snakes: How to Recognize and Understand Them. (A volume of the Humanizing Science Series, edited by Jaques Cattell). New York: Ronald Press. viii + 185 pp. (Crotalus h. horridus, pp. 94–97, 181; C. h. atricaudatus, pp. 98, 181).
- Netting MG, Richmond ND (editors) (1970). Pennsylvania Reptiles and Amphibians. Third Edition, Fifth Printing. (Photographs by Hal H. Harrison). Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Fish Commission. 24 pp. (Crotalus horridus, pp. 7–8 + front cover painting by Ned Smith).
- Pisani GR, Collins JT, Edwards SR (1972). "A re-evaluation of the subspecies of Crotalus horridus". Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci. 75: 255–263.
- ISBN 978-0-544-12997-9. (Crotalus horridus, pp. 440–441 + Plate 46 + Figure 168 on p. 356).
- Schmidt KP (1953). A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles, Sixth Edition. Chicago: American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists. 280 pp.
- ISBN 0-307-47009-1(hardcover). (Crotalus horridus, pp. 206–207).
External links
- Account of severe C. horridus envenomation at venomousreptiles.org. Accessed 12 December 2007.
- Snakes of Louisiana at Kingsnake.com. Accessed 7 August 2007.
- Timber rattlesnake at Reptiles and Amphibians of Iowa.