Comments on: Encounter with a timber rattler http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/ Tue, 22 May 2012 17:46:06 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Rosslyn Rattlesnake » Rosslyn Redux http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-191426 Rosslyn Rattlesnake » Rosslyn Redux Mon, 21 May 2012 13:23:06 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-191426 [...] Perhaps Bill Brown (and many others) are relying upon empirical evidence about the Split Rock rattlesnakes that is changing? Bill Brown, an expert on timber rattlers… said the Split Rock population is unusual in that all the specimens are black. Except for a tiny population in New Hampshire, other populations in the North are made up of black snakes and yellow snakes (with crossbands)… A biologist who has studied timber rattlers for more than three decades, Brown attributes the uniformity of the Split Rock population to the “founder effect.” It is supposed that all the founders of the population were black, and no yellow snakes contributed to the gene pool. (Adirondack Explorer) [...] [...] Perhaps Bill Brown (and many others) are relying upon empirical evidence about the Split Rock rattlesnakes that is changing? Bill Brown, an expert on timber rattlers… said the Split Rock population is unusual in that all the specimens are black. Except for a tiny population in New Hampshire, other populations in the North are made up of black snakes and yellow snakes (with crossbands)… A biologist who has studied timber rattlers for more than three decades, Brown attributes the uniformity of the Split Rock population to the “founder effect.” It is supposed that all the founders of the population were black, and no yellow snakes contributed to the gene pool. (Adirondack Explorer) [...]

]]> By: Timber Rattlesnake: Fact, Fiction & Mystery | Essex on Lake Champlain http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-188435 Timber Rattlesnake: Fact, Fiction & Mystery | Essex on Lake Champlain Sun, 06 May 2012 18:09:01 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-188435 [...] Fortunately, medical treatment for rattlesnake bites is generally effective and fatalities are rare. “In New York there have been no records of human deaths attributable to rattlesnakes in the wild during the last several decades,” DEC says. “Contrary to popular opinion, a rattlesnake will not pursue or attack a person unless threatened or provoked.” (Adirondack Explorer) [...] [...] Fortunately, medical treatment for rattlesnake bites is generally effective and fatalities are rare. “In New York there have been no records of human deaths attributable to rattlesnakes in the wild during the last several decades,” DEC says. “Contrary to popular opinion, a rattlesnake will not pursue or attack a person unless threatened or provoked.” (Adirondack Explorer) [...]

]]> By: Jan Golding http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-13976 Jan Golding Sat, 09 Oct 2010 02:52:04 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-13976 I came upon one at Minnewaska on 09/13/10. He/she was at the edge of a trail, on a rocky ledge overlooking the south end of Lake Awosting. I was on my bike and before realizing it was there, I thought I may have had something caught in the spokes of my bike. The rattling was best described as a very loud buzzing. It was coiled on the ledge just off the trail. It stopped rattling after about twenty seconds and remained fairly still as I snapped off a few pictures with my Blackberry. Not a long snake, but very thick. I spend a lot of time at Minnewaska, both on the carriageways and foot paths. This is my only sighting. Very cool experience. I came upon one at Minnewaska on 09/13/10. He/she was at the edge of a trail, on a rocky ledge overlooking the south end of Lake Awosting. I was on my bike and before realizing it was there, I thought I may have had something caught in the spokes of my bike. The rattling was best described as a very loud buzzing. It was coiled on the ledge just off the trail. It stopped rattling after about twenty seconds and remained fairly still as I snapped off a few pictures with my Blackberry. Not a long snake, but very thick. I spend a lot of time at Minnewaska, both on the carriageways and foot paths. This is my only sighting. Very cool experience.

]]> By: stevek13 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-11104 stevek13 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 19:11:28 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-11104 Nice story. I've seen timber rattlesnakes in the Tongue Mt. range and in the Berkshires. They were quite beautiful and very non-agressive. Nice story. I’ve seen timber rattlesnakes in the Tongue Mt. range and in the Berkshires. They were quite beautiful and very non-agressive.

]]> By: Phil http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-7574 Phil Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:07:42 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-7574 Tom McG., I hadn't heard about a death in Minnewaska. A quick google came up empty. Does anybody know anything about this? The DEC fact sheet no doubt was written several years ago, before the dates you mention. If there was a death, it obviously has not been updated. Tom McG., I hadn’t heard about a death in Minnewaska. A quick google came up empty. Does anybody know anything about this?

The DEC fact sheet no doubt was written several years ago, before the dates you mention. If there was a death, it obviously has not been updated.

]]> By: Tom McG http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-7570 Tom McG Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:06:25 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-7570 Phil, I have been fortunate to have seen a couple of Rattlesnakes on Tongue Mt, over the years. They blend in to their surroundings so well that they are very hard to spot. I question one quote from DEC... “In New York there have been no records of human deaths attributable to rattlesnakes in the wild during the last several decades,” Wasn't there a death from a rattlesnake bite a few years ago (Spring of 2007 or 08) at Minnawaska State Park, outside of New Paltz? I recall reading where a bicyclist spotted one on one of the carriage trails and while pointing it out to his fellow riders he was bitten. I thought he died from the bite. Does anyone else recall this incident? Phil,
I have been fortunate to have seen a couple of Rattlesnakes on Tongue Mt, over the years. They blend in to their surroundings so well that they are very hard to spot.
I question one quote from DEC…
“In New York there have been no records of human deaths attributable to rattlesnakes in the wild during the last several decades,”

Wasn’t there a death from a rattlesnake bite a few years ago (Spring of 2007 or 08) at Minnawaska State Park, outside of New Paltz? I recall reading where a bicyclist spotted one on one of the carriage trails and while pointing it out to his fellow riders he was bitten. I thought he died from the bite. Does anyone else recall this incident?

]]> By: TOM http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-7455 TOM Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:42:46 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-7455 Nice pictures and information.I'll hike these trails on snowshoes. Nice pictures and information.I’ll hike these trails on snowshoes.

]]> By: Seth http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-7393 Seth Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:04:48 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-7393 Thanks Harvey! I wish I got a shot of it stretched out, but as soon as I drove up it coiled up. I've always wanted to see a Rattlesnake in the Adirondacks, it just goes to show things happen when you least expect them. A beautiful site indeed. Thanks Harvey! I wish I got a shot of it stretched out, but as soon as I drove up it coiled up. I’ve always wanted to see a Rattlesnake in the Adirondacks, it just goes to show things happen when you least expect them. A beautiful site indeed.

]]> By: Harvey44 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-7386 Harvey44 Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:39:07 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-7386 Those are some beautiful photos. I had always thought Rattlers were brought to Tongue Mtn by someone. I didn't realize that it's actually (barely) within there natural range. Those are some beautiful photos. I had always thought Rattlers were brought to Tongue Mtn by someone. I didn’t realize that it’s actually (barely) within there natural range.

]]> By: Phil http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2010/07/27/encounter-with-a-timber-rattler/comment-page-1/#comment-7382 Phil Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:49:15 +0000 http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/?p=1300#comment-7382 Lisa, thanks for sharing your firsthand knowledge. Perhaps it's not so surprising that hikers are rarely bit, as the snakes avoid people and bite only if they feel threatened. Lisa, thanks for sharing your firsthand knowledge. Perhaps it’s not so surprising that hikers are rarely bit, as the snakes avoid people and bite only if they feel threatened.

]]>