Timber rattlesnakes, one of the Upper Cumberland’s two venomous snakes, may be out in higher volumes this year.
Cumberland University Emeritus Biology Professor Danny Bryan said timber rattlesnakes breed on a three year clock. Bryan said a high concentration of timber rattlesnakes are likely out.
“Not all females come into season at the same time,” Bryan said. “So what people tend to see is male rattlesnakes travelling a different path each year to find what females are actually in season during the breeding time here.”
Bryan said females not looking to breed, still come out to eat, so they have enough fat reserves to yoke their eggs. Peak rattlesnake breeding season lasts from mid-July through August.
Bryan said over a three-year cycle, there may be high and low years. Next year is expected to be a mid-level activity year, and the following summer will have even fewer timber rattlesnakes.
Despite an expected increase in sightings this year, Bryan said the timber rattlesnake population is actually declining. An influx of people moving to the Nashville area paired with people leaving the city for other parts of the state has led to a smaller rattlesnake habitat.
“People are building houses where the snakes are and people think they’re seeing more snakes, when actually the number of snakes hasn’t increased,” Bryan said. “You just happened to encroach upon their territory, and as a result, not only are they seeing, but there are more snakes being killed.”
Bryan said timber rattlesnakes are a protected species in Tennessee. He said they need to be in the environment because of their role in tick control. Timber rattlesnakes prey on rodents that carry ticks, which keeps their population in check.
Bryan said the timber rattlesnake can be identified by it’s rattle on the tail, as well as a mid dorsal stripe on their back and chevrons on their sides. They typically are grey in color. Timber rattlesnakes are much larger than copperheads, which are the only other venomous snake native to the Upper Cumberland.
Bryan said timber rattlesnakes are shy animals that do not want to attack humans. However, Bryan said people should still exercise caution if one is spotted in the wild.
“If you see a timber rattlesnake, if you take two or three steps back from it, you’re not going to be in danger,” Bryan said. “People tend to get bit when they’re doing something they shouldn’t be doing like trying to handle the snake or trying to kill the snake. If you’re close enough to kill it, you’re close enough to get bit.
Bryan said anyone bitten by a rattlesnake should immediately call 911 so they can be treated with anti venom. In addition, people should remove restrictive clothing, such as rings, watches, and shoes because of swelling from the bite. Bryan said timber rattlesnake bites are so rare, their venom is not even used in the anti-venom treatment.
Bryan said timber rattlesnakes are predated by birds of prey, so they typically avoid open spaces. To protect a property from timber rattlesnakes, people should keep their yards manicured, remove wood and brush piles, and get rid of bird feeders, since bird food may attract rodents.