What is the difference between a Canebrake and a timber rattler?

What is the difference between a Canebrake and a timber rattler?

Canebrakes are usually gray and may even have a pink hue and a pinkish, yellow, orange, or brown stripe running the length of the back. Timber rattlers are typically more brown or yellowish and may even be black.

How can you tell a rattlesnake from a Canebrake?

The canebrake rattlesnake is a heavy-bodied snake. Color is pale grayish-brown to pink, with a pattern of dark-brown to black V-shaped cross bands and a russet stripe down the centerline of the back. (The rusty stripe distinguishes a canebrake from a common timber rattler.)

How did the Rattler get its name?

The name rattlesnake is used because they have a special tail with several parts on the end that can make a loud bzzzz sound, or rattle. This defends them against predators and large animals. It acts as a warning signal. Rattlesnakes are native to the Americas from southwest Canada to central Argentina.

Are Canebrake rattlesnakes poisonous?

The Timber rattlesnake (Latin name of Crotalus horridus) is also commonly known as canebrake rattlesnake or banded rattlesnake, is a species of venomous pip viper found in the eastern region of the United States.

What type of venom does a Canebrake rattlesnake have?

Crotalus horridus individuals fall into one of four venom types: type A venoms have canebrake toxin but no hemorrhagic activity, type B venoms lack canebrake toxin but have hemorrhagic activity, type A+B venoms have both canebrake toxin and hemorrhagic activity, and type C venoms have neither canebrake toxin nor …

How can you tell the difference between a male and female timber rattlesnake?

One of the differentiating features of males and females is the males have thicker and longer tails (because they contain the inverted hemipenes). Also, the tails of males taper gradually from the body, whereas the tails of females narrow abruptly at the vent.

Do all timber rattlesnakes have rattles?

Juvenile Timber Rattlesnakes may have only a single “button” on their tail tip and are incapable of making a sound, but adults may have long, tapered rattles of 15 segments or more. Though a rattlesnake’s rattle length is indicative of age, most older snakes have broken rattles.

What is the purpose of a rattlesnake’s rattle?

The rattle is found at the tip of the rattlesnake’s tail. The snake uses the rattle to warn potential aggressors to back off or to distract prey. The famous rattle noise comes from the sound created when hollow and bony doughnutlike segments in the rattle bang together. Check out where rattlesnakes live.

What’s the most rattles on a rattlesnake?

“The snake was 5 1/2-feet long and had 20 rattles and a button. Everybody says it has got to be some kind of record.” Adult timber rattlers are known to grow to about 5 feet. The largest known timber ever reported was just longer than 6 feet.

How painful is a timber rattlesnake bite?

You’ll usually experience some pain, tingling, or burning in the area where you’ve been bitten. There may also be some swelling, bruising, or discoloration at the site. Other common symptoms include: numbness in the face or limbs.

Are timber rattlesnakes aggressive?

Though it may strike if necessary, the timber rattlesnake is more docile than other members of its family and is more likely to stay coiled or stretched out, motionless when encountered in the wild. Like other vipers, the timber rattlesnake is venomous with venom potent enough to kill a human.

Do timber rattlesnakes lay eggs?

Timber rattlesnakes don’t lay eggs. The foot-long baby rattlers are born encased within a membrane that they immediately shed. They are born with venom in their hollow fangs and a small “button” rattle. Mother rattlesnakes guard their young for a week or two, until they shed their skin for the first time.