5 Things Homeowners Need To Know About Timber Rattlesnakes

There are many different types of snakes that can slither into American backyards, and while many of them are scary looking, most aren't dangerous. However, there are some snakes that are dangerous, and if they move into your backyard, you could be in trouble. Here are five things you need to know about one of these dangerous snakes, the timber rattlesnake.

How do you identify them?

Timber rattlesnakes, also known as canebrake or banded rattlesnakes, are large snakes with stocky bodies. They can reach lengths of up to 5 feet long. Like other types of rattlesnakes, they have large, triangular heads, thin necks, and a chevron pattern on their backs. Their background coloring can vary from yellowish brown to dark brown, while their bands can vary from dark brown to black. Their tails are always dark and un-patterned with a rattle on the end.

Where do they live?

Timber rattlesnakes are found throughout the eastern United States. They are found as far north as New England, as far south as Florida, and as far west as Nebraska. Within this range, they like to live in forests, especially forests with lots of rock ledges and other objects to hide underneath.

Why do they come into backyards?

Timber rattlesnakes come into backyards for food and for somewhere to hide. These snakes feed on rodents like rats and mice, and rodents are typically associated with human settlements. Your backyard also gives them a lot of places to hide. Things like leaf litter, long grass, decorative rocks, fallen logs, and thick vegetation are the perfect hiding places for timber rattlesnakes.

Why are they dangerous?

About 8,000 Americans are bitten by venomous snakes every year, and most of those bites are from rattlesnakes. If you're bitten, you could die if you don't go to the hospital and receive emergency treatment.

How do you get rid of them?

If you see timber rattlesnakes in your backyard, don't get close to them since these snakes can be aggressive and will bite you if you scare them. You need to call a wildlife removal specialist to safely remove the snakes for you. Once the snakes are gone, take steps to avoid attracting more. If you have rats and mice living in or near your home, get rid of them, and remove landscaping features like rocks and logs that provide a hiding place for snakes.

Timber rattlesnakes may move into your backyard, and if they do, you need to get rid of them right away. These snakes are dangerous and should only be removed by trained pest control professionals, such as animal removal by Peninsula Pest Control.


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