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timbers
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by Crazywolf on March 2, 2008
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i didnt know timbers were endangered to begin with....i know a few people who keep them.....what makes them endangered anyhow?
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RE: timbers
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by Peter84Jenkins on March 2, 2008
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Here is what I think. The majority of the life and biological functions of timber rattlesnakes revolve around the “den” or hibernacula. Thus concentrating large numbers of snakes in vulnerable microhabitats. These dens are extremely vulnerable to human encroachment. In years past and sadly still today many dens are blasted to make way for mountain real-estate or various mines and other money making ventures. Once a den is destroyed there is a good possibility that most if not all of the snakes that used it for hibernating, breeding, and birthing will die. Each snake is “programmed” to a certain den an instinct that keeps them coming home to a certain den generation after generation from birth to death.
Also, wild timbers breed infrequently some studies suggest a triennial cycle (once every three years) In northern populations especially since they have such short periods of activity. A female may only eat six times and when she gives birth she’ll loose valuable fat reserves that she must renew over long a period of time. In southern populations they may breed once every other year or more due to a longer season of activity and more chances to eat. So I would have to say infrequency of reproduction is another reason for there status.
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RE: timbers
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by AquaHerp on March 2, 2008
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The denning is truly a issue, being a "traditional" snake in its habits makes this animal easily destroyed. Overall the animal is what we call a K species. A low reproducing animal that left to its own devices would do just fine, but when molested or otherwise disrupted knocks the population into a tailspin. Unlike most snakes that become sexually mature at around two years of age, the horridus does not become sexually mature until around their seventh. Then, as stated before, they reproduce only once every two to three years giving birth to a low number of young (4-12 instead of dozens). Being such a low reproductive animal this does not allow for many snakes to be taken out of the cycle before the entire balance is disrupted. With the low recruitment rate and the fact that there are not new snakes moving into the territory to offset this loss, populations dwindle, bottleneck and soon collapse altogether.
Grim yes, but such is the life of the timber.
Take care.
DH
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