The Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is one of twenty-six species of venomous snakes in the United States and Canada, and one of thirteen that are native to North America.
It can be found in the northeastern quarter of the United States, as well as southeastern Canada and several eastern states as far west as Texas and Oklahoma.
The Timber Rattlesnake thrives in wooded areas near rivers or streams, where it feeds on fish, frogs, turtles, small mammals, birds, and even other snakes, depending on its age and size.
The timber rattlesnake is a thick-bodied snake, with a short tail. Like all rattlesnakes, they have a rattle at the end of their tail
The large, broad head and thick body of a rattlesnake are perfectly suited for catching prey. The snake uses its heat-sensing pits to detect body heat
Rattlesnakes are carnivores, they feed on small mammals like mice and rabbits, as well as other snakes and amphibians.
The life span of timber rattlesnakes averages fifteen years in the wild but can range from a few years to as many as thirty.
North America is home to many species of snakes, including five rattlesnake species. The timber rattlesnake part of a single venomous genus known as Crotalus horridus.
Remember, these snakes may look intimidating, but are really quite harmless; most bites occur because of mishandling or misidentification.