One of North America’s most iconic and misunderstood reptiles. Found in the eastern United States, from the forests of New England down to parts of the South and Midwest, this venomous snake is known for its distinctive rattle-tipped tail, thick body, and bold, banded pattern. Despite its fearsome reputation, the timber rattlesnake is a generally shy and calm creature that prefers to avoid people rather than confront them. In fact, it often gives plenty of warning before striking, using its famous rattle as a built-in alarm system.

Timber rattlesnakes are beautiful in their own rugged way. Their bodies are usually yellow, tan, or gray, marked with dark, V-shaped crossbands that help them blend perfectly into the forest floor. Some individuals, especially in the Appalachian Mountains, have a darker, almost all-black appearance — a look that’s both intimidating and fascinating.

As predators, timber rattlesnakes play an important role in keeping small mammal populations in check. Their diet includes mice, rats, chipmunks, and squirrels, which they hunt using heat-sensing pits on their face to detect warm-blooded prey. Once they strike with a quick injection of venom, they track their meal by scent until it slows down or dies, then swallow it whole. These snakes are pit vipers, and their venom is a mix of toxins that break down tissue and affect the nervous system — but bites to humans are extremely rare and usually happen only when the snake is threatened or stepped on by accident.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Canada

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

United States

2007