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Banded or Timber Rattlesnake
Colouration.—The most familiar phase is that-of a sulphur-yellow ground-colour, with wide, dark brown or black crossbands, these usually wavy or sharply pointed in the rear--sometimes broken up into three series of blotches--the larger on the back in the shape of half-rhombs. The tail of such a specimen is black.
Dimensions.—To represent the usual size of an adult specimen of this snake, the measurements of a Pennsylvania specimen are noted. This particular specimen showed average dimensions among several dozen specimens from the Eastern States:
Distribution.—The range of the Banded Rattlesnake is extensive. It occurs from central Vermont to the northern portion of the Florida peninsula, thence westward to Iowa, Kansas, the Indian Territory and eastern Texas. In the mountainous districts of this large area the species is common, although from the larger, cultivated districts it has for some time disappeared. Again in the swamps of the coastal region--in the Atlantic States and Gulf States, the lowland phase, or Cane-brake Rattlesnake is abundant. The species abounds in the mountains of southern New York, Massachusetts and eastern Pennsylvania, and actually appears to be increasing in numbers, in these states, year after year.
In its pattern and colours this Eastern species exhibits great variation. It is the only rattlesnake occurring over the greater portion of its range, but in the South and West its distribution overlaps the range of several species; they are so distinct as not to be readily confused with it. The average length is from three and a half to four feet.
Another common phase is olive. On the forward portion of the body are three series of dark blotches, margined with yellow; these fuse into wavy, yellow-edged cross-bands on the posterior two-thirds of the body.
The ground-colour varies from yellow to brown, olive or black. With the black specimens the bands are not discernible. These black rattlesnakes are common in the mountains of the Virginias, Pennsylvania and New York, and, after freshly casting their skins, have the soft, rich effect of black velvet. The writer has found that the majority of the black specimens are males, although among them he has found occasional females. He has never among yellow individuals found a male specimen--that is in the localities where the black phase is to be found. The most beautiful specimens he has examined were captured in the cane-brakes of South Carolina. The ground-colour was a delicate shade of pink, the cross-bands jet-black; on the central portion of the back, for the width of about three scales, was a stripe of rusty-red. Subsequent investigations show that this marked and apparently constant form occurs from North Carolina to northern Florida, along the low, coast region, and westward along the Gulf Coast to Louisiana. It is locally known as the Cane-brake Rattlesnake. In a way, the colouration of this phase appeals to western individuals, as they may be pale brown or gray, and exhibit the pronounced reddish or tawny stripe upon the back.
The general pattern of this species is well illustrated in a photograph taken of a specimen that has freshly shed its skin. Illustrations are given of the most characteristic phases--the Yellow Timber Rattlesnake, and the Black Timber Rattlesnake, both from Pennsylvania.
Total Length . . . . . 3 ft. 8 inches.
Length of Tail (exclusive of rattle) . . . . . 2 3/4 inches.
Diameter of Body . . . . . 1 5/8 inches.
Width of Head . . . . . 1 3/8 inches.
Length of Head . . . . . 1 3/4 inches.
The rattle consisted of ten perfectly uniform segments.
The writer's largest Pennsylvania specimen measured five feet and one inch in length. The largest specimen he has ever examined measured exactly six feet. It was two and a half inches in diameter at the thickest part of the body, but the head was proportionately very small, showing a total width of one and seven-eighth inches. The rattle was made up of fourteen perfectly uniform segments. This fine specimen was captured in Missouri.
Habits of the Banded Rattlesnake
In the North this serpent shows a marked fondness for mountain ledges, cleft with many fissures and on which lie large shelving rocks. About such rugged situations large numbers of rattlesnakes gather in the fall, preparatory for the hibernating season. They appear to find the same places, year after year, making their way from the adjoining timber and lesser ledges as if led by some strange, instinctive power. On the main ledge, they coil sociably in great clusters to enjoy the sun of "Indian summer"--but only for a limited number of days, when they retire into the deep fissures for the winter's sleep. For several weeks--in the spring--during the mating season, they linger on the main ledge in large numbers, but finally scatter to the timber for the warm months.