Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horridus]

Yellow phase female Timber Rattlesnake watching over her 7 newborn neonates. [Crotalus horridus]. 8-25-23

With a shinny new skin this just shed tiny Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horridus] looks to be doing very well. At just 12 inches this rattlesnake was live born last fall and now looks to be well on its way to an exciting long life. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-18-21.

Having just stopped to photograph some flowers along this stretch of road, and after taking a ride and on the return trip was surprised to find this Timber Rattlesnake in the same spot where I previously stopped. Having just made a kill of a Chipmunk, was in search of his prey [through scent], who was now dead on the road. It all must of just happened. I was looking forward to watching it find and eat its meal, when another vehicle approached from the opposite direction and scared the snake off the road into the high grass. I placed the still warm Chipmunk in the grass off the road in the area of the rattlesnake as I felt sure another vehicle would run it over. [Crotalus horridus] Dauphin County, Pa. 6-17-22. You would never know the life and death struggles that are playing out and happening just off the road where you are.

Yellow phase Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horridus].Dauphin County,Pa.7-19-18

Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horridus]. Dauphin County, Pa. 7-1-23

Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horrridus]. Tioga County, Pa. 6-25-22

Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horridus]. Dauphin County, Pa. 7-1-23

First Timber Rattlesnake of the year. 6-1-23 Dauphin County, Pa. [Crotalus horridus]

With temperatures hovering around 48 degrees I must confess Timber Rattlesnakes were the last thing on my mind during last evenings hike when coming out in the dark. I almost stepped on this beautiful yellow phase, I hadn't seen this color phase in a very long time. but I didn't think that I see one on October 22. That was a little too close for comfort, but it never got aggressive and just went on its way. It was wonderful to be able hear it as it made its way through the leaves and over logs along the ridge top in the dark. Thank goodness for spotlights as I would have stepped right on her. Crotalus horridus. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-22-22

Yellow phase Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horridus].Dauphin County,Pa.7-19-18

Dark phase Timber Rattlesnake [Crotalus horridus].Dauphin County.Pa.7-13-18