There are isolated places in this
region where Timber Rattlesnakes
take up residence and Timber
Rattlers are definitely poisonous
and therefore potentially very
dangerous. Though it's highly
unlikely you will see one, I
obviously need to warn you about
them and pass on some useful
information. They are incredibly
shy and very afraid of people as
they are hunted relentlessly which
subsequently has put them on the
endangered species list (note to
potential hunters: get caught
hunting these and the state of
Connecticut does not mess around
as far as punishment...jail time
and huge fines are in your
future).
I personally have never seen one
in my entire life (and never have
heard of anyone getting bitten)
but if you happen to come upon a
rattler you'll likely hear it
first before seeing it because the
snake will no doubt see you first
and shake it's rattler in effort
to get your attention. If you hear
the rattle shaking...stop...don't
take a step or move your arms in a
fast manner. Just relax and locate
the snake by determining where the
sound is coming from. Once you
spot it, slowly, calmly step back
from the snake to give it the
breathing room it desires. He/She
is telling you "I'm scared too and
I need you to back away from
me"...if I were you I'd listen to
that advice! A rattlesnake will
only strike if it is stepped on,
harassed, or you just won't back
away from it. It will not charge
at you or attack...it springs out
from it's coiled up position and
can only reach out as far as it is
long so you'd have to be
practically standing on it to get
bit. If you have any questions
about what to do in the event of a
bite please visit Connecticut
DEP Timbersnake page and use
the contact info there to find out
more. You should be more afraid of
lightning strikes that a rattler
strike because the odds are that
the former would happen before the
later but if you or someone you're
with is bitten here are few things
to keep in mind. Many bites are
"dry bites" meaning the snake
doesn't inject its venom. It's
saying "you're not listening and
backing away from me so the next
bite will be the real bite!". If
venom is part of the bite then
symptoms will come on quickly.
From the little research I've
done, it seems just keeping the
victim calm and relaxed until you
can get them to a hospital is the
most important thing to do rather
than trying to treat the bite. The
slower the heart beats, the slower
the venom will go through the
bloodstream and will delay the
effects of the venom - severe
pain, shortness of breath, nausea
(sick feeling). If a victim does
not make it to a hospital for many
hours, the bite can be fatal but
nearly all rattlesnake bites wind
up being horrible events that
result in serious injury and a
hospital visit for anti-venom
shots. Again, I've never seen one
of these snakes in my entire life
and have never heard of anyone
bitten in the state of Connecticut
in recent times so there's no need
to be afraid (though I've probably
succeeded in scaring the crap out
of you!).
I found this
rattlesnake page at TNC -
Berkshire which has great
info concerning Timber
Rattlesnakes. It was certainly
good to read that in New York
state there hasn't been a single
documented fatality from
rattlesnake in decades...so you'll
be okay out there as long as you
don't try to emulate the
Australian crocodile dude who
likes to jump on crocs, snakes,
and other dangerous animals!
eNature.com
page also has some photos
and useful information.
If you have any trail updates to
share or have feedback/questions
please click
here to send email or call
203.788.7665
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