Timber Rattlesnakes in Ohio

Timber rattlesnakes, native to Ohio, are not normally aggressive toward humans.
Photo © Doug Wynn

The rattlesnake is one of those animals, along with wild turkeys, wolves, alligators, and grizzly bears, that comes to mind when thinking about wild America. While it is true that for some it is a creature that evokes fear, for others it seems to hold a different kind of status. These snakes historically have been viewed with great respect by many Native Americans; early colonists adopted the animal as a symbol of their independence on the famous "Don’t Tread on Me" flag; and Florida A&M University proudly uses the symbol as their mascot. It would seem that the "rattler" occupies a special niche in the American psyche, albeit a complex one.

There are dozens of species and sub-species of rattlesnakes in the Americas, but only two in Ohio: the eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) and the timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). These two, along with the northern copperhead (Agkistrodon contortrix), are the only venomous snakes that naturally occur in the state. Both belong to the subfamily of snakes known as pit vipers. These snakes have heat-detecting organs called pits located below the eye and hollow fangs for delivering venom. The hemotoxic venom is primarily used as an agent to subdue prey and aid in its digestion -- small rodents being among the favorite meals.

While being envenomated by one of these animals could prove quite dangerous, timber rattlesnakes are not normally aggressive toward humans. Many people who are familiar with "timbers" describe their demeanor as docile; often they will not even rattle unless highly disturbed. Bites are rare. Kevin Bradbury, Manager of Shawnee State Park in Scioto County, cannot remember a single incident during his tenure there. Bradbury says he regularly reminds people that they are far more likely to be injured traveling to the park by automobile than they are while hiking. In fact, the last documented human fatality in Ohio associated with a rattlesnake bite happened over a half-century ago.

Timber rattlesnakes are found over a large portion of the eastern United States, and historical records show that the species was once more widely distributed in Ohio. Today their range is probably limited to eight southern counties: Adams, Athens, Hocking, Jackson, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton. Even in this region of steep hills and sandstone outcroppings, their populations are often isolated and individuals are seldom seen. Timber rattlesnakes do live on The Nature Conservancy’s Edge of Appalachia Preserve in Adams County. Program Manager Pete Whan says that, while the local population is probably small, there have been several documented sightings on the property in recent years.

Several factors present challenges to their survival. Timber rattlesnakes winter in ancestral dens and have a very high fidelity rate to these sites. They have a slow reproductive strategy; females cannot bear young until they are several years old, and then do so only every three to five years. The mortality rate for young rattlers is high, so only a few make it to adulthood. Thus, it is necessary for a den to maintain a minimum core population to remain viable. When these natural factors are combined with habitat loss and occasional depredation by people, it is understandable why they have been on the state endangered species list since 1993.

Contrary to the sometimes wild rumors that have circulated for some time now, there are no attempts to reintroduce timber rattlesnakes into the wild. When asked about what management strategies are being implemented to protect the snakes, Carolyn Caldwell of the Ohio Division of Wildlife noted that steps such as habitat protection, monitoring and protection of den sites, and public education are being employed.

Although their long-term prospects in the state are guarded, there are some hopeful signs. Recent research on the attitudes of southern Ohio residents and recreationists revealed that many locals were somewhat supportive of, or at least indifferent to, efforts to protect the animals. One local logger observed that "this place wouldn’t be the same without the rattlesnakes." This sentiment was surprising to many who suspected that a widespread and outright hostility toward the snakes was present. Perhaps public education programs are working ... or perhaps we are all still learning of the fascinating and complicated relationships that we have with the whole of nature -- rattlesnakes and all.

Please help the Ohio Chapter protect timber rattlesnake habitat at the Edge of Appalachia.

By David Matthew Zuefle, Ph.D.
Ohio University

Zuefle, D. M. (2000). Southern Ohio residents’ attitudes toward timber rattlesnakes and their management: A focus group study. Ohio Division of Wildlife.