Are they currently protected or not? A friend has seen one near his home a few times and asked the question. The common response was they were, but I was under the impression that changed recently.

Thanks

I think they still are. I do know that on our Ozark ranch they definitely are. When we first got the ranch I had the Missouri Conservation Biologist come over for developing some wildlife plans. Right across from our property is a Missouri WMA of 7500 acres. The biologist told me they had recently "introduced" Timber rattlers back into that WMA to help build the populations back.
He told me that if I saw one that they were endangered and I should not shoot it, but call them and they would come "get" it. I told him I understood completely and would certainly call him if I happened to see one on my property. wink.

They were removed from the Threatened list in Texas in 2020.

Super cool snakes and surprisingly docile. Protected or not, I try to let them go. Same with coral snakes. Copperheads and moccasins get the special treatment.

CS78 said:

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Super cool snakes and surprisingly docile. Protected or not, I try to let them go. Same with coral snakes. Copperheads and moccasins get the special treatment.

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So says a lot of people about pit bulls.

Sorry, I'm a bit old in my views. Non-venomous snake, have a nice day. Venomous within a certain radius - I'm going to kill it if means are available.

Are timber rattlers the same as canebreaks or not? I had heard that canebreaks are especially nasty in their temperment.

B-1 83 said:

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Are timber rattlers the same as canebreaks or not? I had heard that canebreaks are especially nasty in their temperment.

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Yes

In the state of Texas they are listed as a species of greatest conservation need, which means on pvt property they are not protected. However, on state or federal property they are protected.

B-1 83 said:

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Are timber rattlers the same as canebreaks or not? I had heard that canebreaks are especially nasty in their temperment.

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everyone I have ever run up on have been docile - I had to poke at them with a stick to get them to coil up and rattle. I avoided by stepping on a 4 footer only because instinct and grace of God. I was cutting up wood and was hauling an armful to the back of my pickup. I just stopped for no apparent reason with my foot about to to step right directly on his back. I backed away and he just slithered off into the woods.

We had a lot at my deer lease in Jasper county. There were always in the upland sandy pine forests. Never saw one down on the hardwood bottoms

jwoodmd said:

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CS78 said:

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Super cool snakes and surprisingly docile. Protected or not, I try to let them go. Same with coral snakes. Copperheads and moccasins get the special treatment.

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So says a lot of people about pit bulls.

Sorry, I'm a bit old in my views. Non-venomous snake, have a nice day. Venomous within a certain radius - I'm going to kill it if means are available.

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Equating timber rattlers to pit bulls? That's quite a reach, just to justify your desire to kill every venomous snake you want, regardless of their legal standing, endangerment, or benefits to your local ecology…

I would say the same about every pit bull I see. Absolute key on need for that breed.

We saw a canebrake rattler recently at Lick Creek Park in College Station. Not as common as they once were in these parts but not rare by any means.

cledus6150 said:

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In the state of Texas they are listed as a species of greatest conservation need, which means on pvt property they are not protected. However, on state or federal property they are protected.

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Regarding snakes (or other reptiles) with conservations needs, I suspect that feral hogs are probably the most existential threat. I'm curious to know if anyone else has noticed that on properties with persistent hog presence that the population of snakes (of all species) seems to be very low. In all my years of hunting and property ownership over a wide range of areas in Tx and La, I don't think I have ever noticed so few snakes as those properties with persistent hog pressure.

f burg ag

After last Spring's rain, we had two on our porch, just west of you. Before we knew what type of snake these were, the wife shooshed the first one (rather large) off the porch with a fire poker since she did not see any rattles. Snake sulked off and did not want anything to do with my wife. I thought we were too far west, but the county biologist said there are two pockets in Lavaca County and no longer protected in Texas. Cool looking snake.

Butchy Woods said:

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f burg ag

After last Spring's rain, we had two on our porch, just west of you. Before we knew what type of snake these were, the wife shooshed the first one (rather large) off the porch with a fire poker since she did not see any rattles. Snake sulked off and did not want anything to do with my wife. I thought we were too far west, but the county biologist said there are two pockets in Lavaca County and no longer protected in Texas. Cool looking snake.

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Jesus. And here I was thinking Copperheads were my only problem. Luckily I have not seen a Timber yet...

Anyone know why they are called canebreaks?

We owned a place in far SW Madison Co. for many years and saw our share there. Hogs didn't seem to limit the snake population there. Unless they were at the house, we left them alone. I never saw an aggressive one.

SteveBott said:

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Anyone know why they are called canebreaks?

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Supposedly known for being found around the La canebrakes above swamps.

Roosevelt's writing about his canebrake bear hunt.

https://sites.rootsweb.com/~lamadiso/articles/louisianacanebrakes.htm

By Lake Somerville. Neighbor got after him with the shovel.

jwoodmd said:

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CS78 said:

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Super cool snakes and surprisingly docile. Protected or not, I try to let them go. Same with coral snakes. Copperheads and moccasins get the special treatment.

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So says a lot of people about pit bulls.

Sorry, I'm a bit old in my views. Non-venomous snake, have a nice day. Venomous within a certain radius - I'm going to kill it if means are available.

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I dont think any native and wild animal deserves to be compared to a pitbull. Aggressive dogs could all swallow a lead pill and it wouldnt hurt my feelings.

My pit bull mix is the sweetest dog you'll ever meet. Not really fair to group them in all in one category.

Lonestar-aught-six said:

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My pit bull mix is the sweetest dog you'll ever meet. Not really fair to group them in all in one category.

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That's what every pit bull owner says.

Ok if you came in my house right now he'd cuddle with you in 30 minutes. I understand the hate but they're not all the same.

I've ran cathoulas , blue healers and yellow curs for cattle and and cats and bulldogs on hogs. I've ran bloodhounds on people professionally. I've had bloodhounds that would eat your ass as well as cathoulas if they didn't know you. Had a coon dog that when I was running dogs professionally I was terrified of. Each dog is still an individual.

How TF did this turn into a Pitbull thread??

You're right I apologize I just can't stand to have someone attack my dog unnecessarily. I apologize.

I've heard that pitbull have stopped rattling recently. Be very careful.

jwoodmd said:

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CS78 said:

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Super cool snakes and surprisingly docile. Protected or not, I try to let them go. Same with coral snakes. Copperheads and moccasins get the special treatment.

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So says a lot of people about pit bulls.

Sorry, I'm a bit old in my views. Non-venomous snake, have a nice day. Venomous within a certain radius - I'm going to kill it if means are available.

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I prefer to let them alone to go after mice, particularly if there is any possibility that the mice might be carrying Hantavirus.

While expensive, if you get bit by a rattlesnake, the odds are overwhelming that you will survive with proper medical treatment.

Even without proper medical treatment, your chances are pretty good. In the old west, antivenom didn't exist and the standard treatment of a rattlesnake bite was whiskey. There were apparently some who would get bitten intentionally so that they could get free whiskey.

Also, my sister sent me pictures a year or two ago of someone who was bitten on the hand by a venomous snake and had no insurance and so didn't seek treatment. While they did lose some function in their hand, after a couple of weeks most of the swelling was gone.

On the other hand, if you get hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, your chance of living is maybe 50% at best. Without treatment, mortality is more like 90% to 95%.

I've also been told that in some counties where they do the rattlesnake roundups, there is a much larger problem with mice than in surrounding counties.

If around people, especially kids, relocate them, don't kill them.