Here is the next part of the series I have been doing on North Carolina's Venomous Snakes. Before getting into the next species' I would like to say that venomous snakes play a very important part of the ecosystem and are quite beneficial to people despite the bites that do occur. These snakes help keep populations of rodents and other animals in check, and are food sources themselves to other animals. In the book Snakes of the Southeast Mike Dorcas and Whit Gibbons says it best when talking about venomous snakes. "Venomous snakes have fangs and venom for capturing prey, not to bite people. Because no venomous snake preys on humans, the only reason they bite humans is in self-defense, and then only as a last resort." Also, there many cases that snake venom is being used in the medical field to treat a lot of different things and gain new insight on how the human body works. I would highly recommend you research it and learn more about it, it is cool!
Now, to talk about Rattlesnakes! Below I put a video ( I did not film it) from You Tube of a Timber Rattlesnake rattling its tail so you can hear what that is like. I think it is pretty cool! *I would not advise approaching a rattlesnake and making attempts to get it to rattle its tail*
In total, there are 3 different species of Rattlesnakes in North Carolina; 2 of which can come in different color variations. *As far as identifying them; the rattle on the tail is the big clue to look for*.
We will begin with the Timber Rattlesnake.
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| Black-Phased Timber Rattlesnake. Photo by Ray Hopkins |
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| Yellow-Phased Timber Rattlesnake. Photo by Ray Hopkins |
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| Canebrake Phase. Photo by ME. |
The Timber Rattlesnake is one of the 2 Rattlesnakes in NC that is varied in color. In the mountains of North Carolina they will either be the black phase or yellow phase like the ones pictured. Once you get into the Timber Rattlesnake's range in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, they will be what is called the Canebrake phase that is pictured above. In fact, these guys are most often called Canebrake Rattlesnakes by scientists, due to they like to hangout in Canebrake thickets.
Historically, Timbers were found all over the state, but that has long since changed due to habitat loss
| Timber/ Canebrake Rattlesnake Range in NC. Photo from herpsofnc.org |
They eat primarily rodents but would likely take a bird or some other critter if the opportunity presented itself. They, like all rattlesnakes as well as the copperhead and cottonmouth I have written about, will rely on their pits to sense the heat from the rodent's body. Timbers generally ambush prey and will inject it with venom.
Despite the fear surrounding rattlesnakes, the timber rattlesnake is actually a rather docile snake. According to Amphibians and Reptiles of The Carolinas and Virginia authors Jeffrey C. Bean, Alvin L. Braswell, et al. write: "When discovered, these rattlers usually remain still or attempt to escape. They will, however, vigorously defend themselves when provoked." Basically, if you leave the snake alone, it will leave you alone. They rely heavily on camouflage to hide from predators and prey a like. A bite from these guys can be very serious, so it is recommended to get medical attention.
A fun little fact I will share with you about these guys is that they, like all pit vipers, give live-birth rather than lay eggs.
Ok, so the next snake is the Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake
As you could probably tell from the pictures, Pygmy Rattlesnakes are small. The authors of Amphibians and Reptiles of The Carolinas and Virginia write that 26 inches is the longest they can get, generally. Being as small as they are, they are considered to be the "least" venomous snake of NC's 6 species that are venomous. However, a bite can still cause a great deal of discomfort and it is highly recommended that a bite should get medical attention. That being said, like other snakes, they will only resort to biting if they have no way of escaping.
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| Photo Taken From Internet. |
Pygmies are rather brilliantly colored animals that vary from the gray coloration to the brick red color. In North Carolina, they primarily dwell in the coastal plain and sandhills but do also occur in one location or so in the mountains. They like to hang around bodies of water in pine forests, sandhills, and mixed hardwood forests among other places. Snakes of The Southeast.
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| Photo from Internet. |
By the looks of things, you are probably wondering what would these little guys eat? Well, they eat small critters such as: lizards, small rodents, small amphibians, and other small critters.
The fun fact I will share with you is that they do have a rattle, but it is tiny and can be difficult to hear.
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| Pygmy Rattlesnake Range. Photo from Internet |
Our final Rattlesnake that we will be learning about, is sadly not doing well, and is on the verge of extinction in the state of NC. It is a truly unappreciated, amazing snake with lots of fear around it. I hope this blog will help you learn how cool, not only this species is, but all of NC's rattlesnakes.
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake has been brought to the verge of extinction in NC due to habitat loss and being killed. They can be quite large snakes, getting up to 78 inches. Amphibians and Reptiles of The Carolinas and Virginia.
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| Photo Taken From Internet |
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| Photo by Me |
The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake can be quite large as I have written before. An adult can take on and eat something as large as a rabbit! Like the other rattlesnakes, they have pits. They will ambush their prey and inject it with venom. Diamondbacks will eat other rodents too when they get the opportunity.
They spend a good deal of their time hanging out near and in stump holes and similar hiding places in forests, fields with lots of brush, and similar habitats.
In NC, they are found in the coastal plain.
| Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake Range in NC. Photo from herpsofnc.org |
Diamondbacks are rare in NC, so it is not likely to be encountered while your out in the woods on a hike. When they are encountered, they could "quickly assume a defensive posture: body coiled, rattle erect and buzzing, neck flexed with head directly facing the source of annoyance." Amphibians and Reptiles of The Carolinas and Virginia. These guys are thought to be one of the most dangerous snakes in the Southeast, so caution should be shown when encountered like any other animal. Bites from these snakes are very serious and medical attention should be sought.
Fun fact for these awesome animals is that they have been seen swimming in salt water.
Well, I hope you have learned something about Rattlesnakes. They are very cool creatures that want to be left alone to do their own thing. I am really fascinated by their rattles and the sound they make. By the way they find, capture, and eat their prey. As well, as how well they can blend in to their environment. I think the fact they are sort of chunky, heavy animals is pretty neat too. They are something that you do not need to fear. If you respect them like you would a car or a knife in the kitchen when you are preparing a meal or even eating a meal, you will be fine. Once again, feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
A big thanks to my friend Ray Hopkins for the use of the Timber Rattlesnake photos. Rachel is passionate herper and of course, an excellent photographer.
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| Timber Rattlesnake. Photo by Ray Hopkins. |
