Though the timber rattlesnake lives in Ohio, it isn’t very likely you will ever see one in the wild. They are found in only eight counties and are considered endangered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. Even if you were to walk right by one, it would most likely try to slip away or lay quietly, camouflaged by its coloring.

However, if it is very frightened or upset, the timber rattlesnake will begin to shake its rattle. Then it’s time to back away—this is the warning that it is about to strike! Its rattles are hollow and actually made up of the same material as our hair and nails. A baby rattlesnake is born with just a button on the end of its tail. Each time the snake sheds, which can be between two to four times a year, a new rattle is formed. The rattle is a warning to anyone or anything that might try to hurt the snake. When the timber rattlesnake is hunting something else, it stays very quiet.

Even though it might be out in the day, the timber rattlesnake does most of its hunting at night. This snake is a pit viper, which means it has a pit between its eye and its nostril on each side of its head. These pits are sensitive to heat, so the rattlesnake can find and strike its warm-blooded prey even in the dark. Though the snake’s hollow fangs are normally folded back, they swing forward when the snake strikes and fill with venom. This venom kills the prey and the snake swallows its victim whole. The snake may not have to eat again for several days or weeks.