The Timber Rattlesnake is known from the Marais des Cygnes drainage basin in Kansas and Missouri. It enters Kansas from Oklahoma in the Cross Timbers but is conspicuously absent from the Neosho River basin.
The observation at Pittsburg, Crawford County, was reported in the Pittsburg Morning Sun (newspaper) on Wednesday, 29 August 2001. The snake was discovered at 11 am basking on the pavement near the south entrance to the Bath-Naylor Funeral Home. The article also stated that this is the third time in 17 years that a rattlesnake has been found inside the Pittsburg City Limits. This record is questionable, and additional reports (or preferably specimens) are desired.
This shy species is found in rugged terrain along heavily vegetated, rocky outcrops on partially forested hillsides. It is active from April to October and prefers air temperatures of 80-90°F.
The Timber Rattlesnake is diurnal during spring and fall but prowls at night during the summer months to avoid the higher daytime temperatures. Although this snake may travel over 30 yards a day to seek areas with abundant food, it frequently spends long periods coiled and immobile, patiently waiting for prey to approach. Females apparently wander less than males; furthermore, they generally do not feed during pregnancy, relying on stored fat to maintain themselves until the birth of the young. However, Rick Strawn (pers. comm., 1991; Collins, 1993) maintained a captive gravid female from Johnson County that was fed regularly until two weeks prior to giving birth. During winter, this snake retreats deep into the burrows and crevices of rocky outcrops to avoid cold weather.
Timber Rattlesnakes mate during the spring, soon after emergence from winter inactivity. Courtship is poorly documented, but involves the male positioning himself alongside the female and stimulating her with quick, rapid jerks of his head and body. The male curls his tail beneath the female's until their cloacal openings meet and copulation occurs.
Females may produce litters only every other year. The young are born in August, September, or October, and litters range from five to fourteen (Fitch, 1985), with an average of eight or nine. Collins (1982) reported a female from Johnson County giving birth to six young on 23 September. Young Timber Rattlesnakes are venomous at birth and have a single button on their tail. Additional segments are added each time a snake sheds its skin, producing a rattle that may have up to fifteen segments. Females normally reach maturity in their fourth year (Fitch, 1985). Species of Crotalus are viviparous and form well-vascularized chorioallantoic placentae, primarily functioning in gas exchange and fluid/ion regulation. Embryonic development is largely lecithotrophic, with yolk providing most of the organic energy. Available physiological and comparative data indicate limited but functional maternal nutrient transfer; overall, Crotalus represents predominantly lecithotrophic viviparity with modest placental contribution.
This species feeds on mice, rats, squirrels, rabbits, bats, and other small mammals, as well as on smaller snakes (Collins, 1993).
First reported from Kansas by Cope (1859) based on a specimen from "Kansas" collected by Fort Riley surgeon William A. Hammond. Yarrow (1882) lists a specimen (USNM 4621) from "Kansas" collected by U.S. Army Topographical Engineers Captain J. H. Simpson in 1858. This is the earliest existing specimen from Kansas.
Reportedly declining throughout portions of its former range elsewhere, this large, shy snake is generally doing well where it occurs in Kansas. While individuals are well-camouflaged, it is difficult for populations of this large snake with prominent rattles to escape detection, and it is generally well known where it occurs. Fitch (1984) postulated that prior to settlement, Timber Rattlesnakes were not common and that, with greater fire control and the concomitant increase in forests, their populations have increased.
In rural areas, the Timber Rattlesnake is abundant. Populations have probably changed little in the past 50 years. In urban areas, the greatest threat it faces is habitat conversion for development. In these areas (Wyandotte and Johnson counties specifically), populations are certainly declining.
Enough data exists to show that many populations of Timber Rattlesnakes still persist in less developed portions of Johnson and Wyandotte counties. Local extinctions and fragmentation have already occurred, and more is inevitable.
The Timber Rattlesnake was listed as a Kansas SINC species in 1993.
This snake has a fairly mild disposition compared with the Prairie Rattlesnake or the Western Massasauga. When approached, it often remains motionless and quiet to avoid being seen. No one should rely on any rattlesnake to 'warn' them by rattling, since many rattlesnakes never rattle until stepped on or otherwise molested.
Based on a captive specimen, Snider and Bowler (1992) reported a maximum longevity of 30 years, 2 months, and 1 day for this snake.
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