Rattlesnakes in NH

Nadia · 04-19-2006, 03:04 AM

Its true, we do have Timber Rattlesnakes here in New Hampshire. Their coloration is similar to what the poster above described as a diamond back. They are beautiful, light brown with black patches. I'm a snake enthusiast--I've yet to come across one of these beauties in my searches but I hope to someday.

Anyone ever see that episode of the Crocodile Hunter when he squats down onto rocks and is suddenly surrounded by rattle snakes? I don't mean to be graphic but Mr. Irwin's most vulnerable parts were easily accessable. He looked down, and then looked up at the camera. He said "I have to hold as still as possible right now. The slightest movement could set one of these animals off, and they tend to strike for the warmest part of the body."

Poor guy. Luckily they went back into their little cave inside the rock, but there were atleast 20 of them. I believe that's how they survive the winters up here, huddling together in large groups.

Anybody ever seen one around here? I've only run into garters and the northern black species thus far. I'd love to see a Timber Rattler. I wouldn't be surprised if the island was named for its once large population of snakes.

Rick · 04-21-2006, 07:58 PM

I have seen 2 in NH. One was down in Allenstown and the second one was in Sandwich notch on the Black Mountain Trail. Both rattled and hissed and were about 3 feet long. Long enough to make me back away.

But nothing will beat the time I was in Montana on the Gallatin River fishing when I was climbing up over some rocks and got on top of a huge flat rock only to find about a dozen rattlesnakes coiled up in the sunlight. I nearly jumped in! They never moved but I sure did!

wildwoodfam · 04-26-2006, 03:11 PM

Ran into one basking in the sun on the green at a small private golf club in Dublin NH - of all places - I thought St Patrick had driven these snakes out of Dublin - er - oops - wrong country! Anyway - he was about 3 feet long and stretched out sunning...moved pretty quickly (away from us and the green) when the ball rolled toward him. It is said - many live in and around the Monadnock Region.

04-19-2006, 03:04 AM	#1
Nadia Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Laconia/Vegas/Florida Posts: 160 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 24 Thanked 19 Times in 10 Posts	Rattlesnakes in NH Its true, we do have Timber Rattlesnakes here in New Hampshire. Their coloration is similar to what the poster above described as a diamond back. They are beautiful, light brown with black patches. I'm a snake enthusiast--I've yet to come across one of these beauties in my searches but I hope to someday. Anyone ever see that episode of the Crocodile Hunter when he squats down onto rocks and is suddenly surrounded by rattle snakes? I don't mean to be graphic but Mr. Irwin's most vulnerable parts were easily accessable. He looked down, and then looked up at the camera. He said "I have to hold as still as possible right now. The slightest movement could set one of these animals off, and they tend to strike for the warmest part of the body." Poor guy. Luckily they went back into their little cave inside the rock, but there were atleast 20 of them. I believe that's how they survive the winters up here, huddling together in large groups. Anybody ever seen one around here? I've only run into garters and the northern black species thus far. I'd love to see a Timber Rattler. I wouldn't be surprised if the island was named for its once large population of snakes.

04-26-2006, 03:11 PM	#3
wildwoodfam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Andover, MA & summers up at the BIG lake Posts: 285 Thanks: 5 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Timber rattler encounter in southern NH Ran into one basking in the sun on the green at a small private golf club in Dublin NH - of all places - I thought St Patrick had driven these snakes out of Dublin - er - oops - wrong country! Anyway - he was about 3 feet long and stretched out sunning...moved pretty quickly (away from us and the green) when the ball rolled toward him. It is said - many live in and around the Monadnock Region.

04-21-2006, 07:58 PM	#2
Rick Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have seen 2 in NH. One was down in Allenstown and the second one was in Sandwich notch on the Black Mountain Trail. Both rattled and hissed and were about 3 feet long. Long enough to make me back away. But nothing will beat the time I was in Montana on the Gallatin River fishing when I was climbing up over some rocks and got on top of a huge flat rock only to find about a dozen rattlesnakes coiled up in the sunlight. I nearly jumped in! They never moved but I sure did!