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Timber habits
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by moose on July 11, 2002
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Hello! As a former aspiring Herpetologist I have often kept local WC non-hots from here in West Virginia. Even though I live in a very rural area, I have seen only 2 Timber Rattlesnakes over the years (I do not actively hunt and collect). Last week we discovered a beautiful Timber in a woodpile abutting our home, laying on top. Looking at the animal I saw clearly that it was about to shed, so I left it alone. The next evening, sure enough there was the skin, however in the week since, I have not been able to locate the animal. I would like to trap and remove it to an even MORE rural area, as we have 3 small children and 2 dogs. Highly doubtful any of the above would be bitten, but just in case. I theorize that after the shed the animal was hungry, and is actively hunting. I wonder if any of you think that the woodpile is the animals summer haunt? How far do they range in active summer hunting? How many can you expect to find in a given area, if you see one? We have been on the dry side this summer, although it has rained heavily in spurts that last week. I have checked the woodpile and surrounding area at varying times of the day ever since the first sighting, and have not seen it. Just looking for some education from those who may know more about this magnificent herp. Many thanks!
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RE: Timber habits
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Anonymous post on July 11, 2002
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I also live in west virginia,the timber could still be in the woodpile but not likley. It was probably a male on the move What part of the state are you from? Contact me.
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RE: Timber habits
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by moose on July 11, 2002
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I am certain you are correct about him not being in the pile, however it is an exceedingly good place for an apex hot. Interestingly, I saw the only other Timber in the same area, not in the pile, but sunning ~5 feet from the pile a few years back. That Timber was much larger. I am under the impression that they do not range great distances, and feel that the animal is somewhere close. There are excellent and likely denning areas very close. Again, that pile, in this area, would be an excellent place to spend a bit of time. Incidentally, I am in southern WV, in the Beckley area.
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RE: Timber habits
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by levi3 on July 11, 2002
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I live in the Buckhannon area.I went out on a "field trip" with a DNR agent who is doing timber research. She has got about 10 snakes radio transmitted and discovered males can travel up to 14 mile from there den in search of a female. Timbers are pretty elusive but they are also very plentiful I have seen as many as 30 snakes in a day, mostly around the dens. I figure even if you have only seen two timbers there are more around. Were the ones you seen both yellow phase or black? Most of them up this way are black. Do you have many copperheads down in your area? I have beeen looking for one like crazy but so far----- NOTHING? Anyway the timbers are cool and I love mine!
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RE: Timber habits
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by moose on July 11, 2002
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Wow! 14 miles. I was way off! There is excellent habitat here, as we live right on a deep, rocky gorge. There is wooded area adjacent. Both TImbers we have seen were black phase. I was taught that this was often altitude dependent. We are at exactly 2500 feet.
As I do not often go on the field (except to golf!) I have yet to see any Coppers this year, however they are seemingly plentiful most of the time here, and we see them most frequently in the spring and fall, as the temps cool. This sighting has REALLY re-kindled my Herp. passion. I grew up in northern Florida, and spent much of my youth trapping Retiles and Amphibians an selling them to Pet shops (a practice I regretted as I became more educated) and there aren't too many reptiles that I haven't seen, however these Timbers are simply amazing.
I had always felt that with the exception of areas like mine, that we had dramatically impacted their numbers negatively. Good to hear that there may well be many. I would absolutely love to see/read any of the research from your DNR friend. I have a Biology degree, and a whole earlier life full of herping! It sounds as if she could help me to learn more. Let me know if she has a website, or anything that I can access.I would also be willing to help add to her body of knowledge here locally if she is interested. Again, the fever is back with a vengence! Heck, I even have a couple of new tools coming as well from Midwest! I have also located and have coming to me soon Klaubers' 2 volume set. It cannot get here quick enough. Many thanks for the input. Hope to hear more.
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RE: Timber habits
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by levi3 on July 11, 2002
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The color phase of the timbers, we think is genetic. In our are thr majority of the timbers sre black. Upthe road a ways at the same altitide the majority of the snakes are yellow. A buddy of mine lives in Macdowell County says he rarely sees a black timber. I will ask the DNR lady if she wants me to give you her e-mail address, she may be interested. My e-mail is Krb3299@cs.com. Drop me a line
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RE: Timber habits
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by WHM on July 15, 2002
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Moose- That timber was probably using your woodpile as a pre-shed site. They usually select sites that have better than average exposure to the sun and provide cover. They are typically at these shedding sites 1-2 weeks and leave immediately upon shedding. According to various telemetry studies, both published and unpublished, males are usually within 1.5 miles of their overwintering den, non-gravid females within 1 mile and gravid females within 0.5 miles. Males have been found 4-5 miles from the den. That 14 miles that one of JAs telemetered snakes went was total distance traveled, and not distance from the den. I have a contact in your area I can put you in touch with if you like.
Regarding color phases: The lighter colors appear to be recessive genetic traits. There is some correlation with climate, canopy cover, elevation, rainfall. There is a tendency for high elevation, high cloud cover, dense canopy areas to have a higher proportion of dark phase and for both the dark phase and light phase snakes to be darker in those areas. However there is a lot of variation in color phase proportions over short distances that is difficult to explain.
WHM
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RE: Timber habits
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by moose on July 15, 2002
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Thanks for the great info! The animal is indeed gone in my opinion. The parameters you laid out for a pre-shed site describe this particular woodpile very well. I still feel that this particular area, being located on a rocky gorge next to forest cover would lend itself well to overwintering. If so, it is all the more interesting that we have not seen more Timbers.
I have been attempting to find printed/online information on this species, and aside from general info, I can find nothing that is on the order of the information you have given. Isn't there any scientific data on the species that is available? Again, I have the Klauber volumes coming, but would be surprised if the contain the detail I seek. I most definitely would like to hear from your contact. I can be e-mailed @ rotfamly@cwv.net Again, many thanks!
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