Backyard Herping -- Timberback Rattler

[Sonya610]

Photo isn't great because I was afraid to get close and my camera was full. This beautiful big boy (or girl) has shown up in my fenced yard at least twice in the last three weeks, first time found at 11 at night by 3 of my dogs, then today 4 of my dogs found him at 5 in the afternoon.

Thank God they rattle! It let's me know the moment I walk out the door to check out what is up, even in the dark. Both times it lead to extreme high drama as my dogs circled the rattler and barked, and I try to grab them and scream "GET IN THE HOUSE!!!!" (while they try to avoid being grabbed, seeing as how this is exciting and they want to keep barking at that weird kindov scary rattling thing).

Those snakes have good eyesight, once the dogs are up he/she starts heading out of the yard but if I step out of the door even 50 feet away it sees and starts rattling again. Maybe it will learn to avoid the yard? Or maybe I have to get rattlesnake vaccine for all my dogs.

[Invisible Snake]

Rattlesnake vaccine? Is there such a thing?

[Sonya610]

Rattlesnake vaccine? Is there such a thing?

There is for dogs, I thought maybe it only covered Diamond backs and called my vet, they said it covers Timber as well. Not sure how many shots they need and I have 6 dogs so I need to research it.

If we are in this snakes hunting territory then this could be a problem.

[Chondro788]

Thats so awesome, I am green with envy!!! Timber rattlers are one of my favorites, such an awesome animal. Glad he/she is in a safe yard, not one where it would be killed out of ignorance.

[Steveo]

Cool. I always wanted to find one but I no longer live in their range.

[Sonya610]

Thats so awesome, I am green with envy!!! Timber rattlers are one of my favorites, such an awesome animal. Glad he/she is in a safe yard, not one where it would be killed out of ignorance.

Yes, it is a stunningly beautiful animal indeed. Both sightings caused much high drama though, first getting the dogs safely away and then scrambling to find/get the camera to work. Snake seems very aware and intentional too, doesn't lash out in a crazy manner, stays frozen and rattles and then hightails it out as soon as the immediate threats are removed (rattling while on the way out of the yard if an annoying somewhat non-threatening human is trying to snap photos).

[the_edsta]

Thats so awesome, I am green with envy!!! Timber rattlers are one of my favorites, such an awesome animal. Glad he/she is in a safe yard, not one where it would be killed out of ignorance.

Hmmm.... I think it would be possible to kill a timber rattler in one's backyard out of something other than ignorance. Dogs do like to mess with herps once in a while. I would absolutely relocate it if it were my yard. I have a strict colubrid only policy!

[guidofatherof5]

Timbers are awesome snakes. I'm glad it's safe with you. They are protected but within a certain distance of a residence I believe they are legal to kill.
It's a shame they are persecuted they way they are.

[kueluck]

They are beautiful creatures. A few years back we stopped traffic up at Stone Mt State Park so one could cross the road. A bus full of Girl Scouts said it was the coolest thing they saw on that trip. But I do agree that if possible, to have someone relocate the snake, for it's own safety and wellbeing.

[thamneil]

Pretty cool! I'll second the idea of having her relocated. Would be a shame to see such a nice snake lose its life.