A 'perfect 10'

Some animals are highly adaptable and can survive or even thrive in a variety of habitats. Not so the timber rattlesnake, whose needs are very specific, resulting in a limited pool of possibilities for dens, called hibernacula, and basking locations.

Rattlesnakes show great loyalty for such sites (some have existed for centuries), making successful relocation extremely challenging. Depth, temperature, moisture content, tree canopy and access to prey are just some of the factors defining successful den locations.

Local wildlife biologist and rehabilitator Kathy Michell, who specializes in reptiles, keeps watch for denning locations while traveling through the Upper Delaware region. She then provides those locations to the New York DEC, which protects this species. To avoid the potentially harmful impacts of increasing development on a “perfect 10” site, Michell devotes a great deal of her research to identifying, documenting and ultimately protecting rattlesnake habitat.

Rattlesnakes face various challenges that contribute to their declining populations. Females only reproduce every two to three years and do not reach sexual maturity for approximately eight years. Between five to nine young are born live, and must survive predation by turkeys, raptors, raccoons and more. Rattlesnakes are still harvested by collectors and at times slaughtered for their skins and rattles, or simply out of fear.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission attributes their decline mainly to human activities related to habitat alteration, overhunting and poaching. By obtaining a permit, hunters can still collect one rattlesnake per season. The state also continues to allow “rattlesnake roundups,” events where snakes are collected, displayed and handled for public observation. Although most are returned to the wild, pregnant snakes can abort litters due to the stress of being handled.

Harvesting is not permitted in New York, where rattlesnakes are protected as a threatened species. For more information contact Michell at 845/252-3501.

- Sandy Long