timber rattler

Hillbilly stalker · Jul 24, 2017

Watched a new show last night called "I was prey". Showed a fellow in Georgia that got bit at Black Mountain. He said he studied rattlers when he was young, and kept saying this one was a male timber rattler. He liked too died from it too. I was wondering if any of the snake wranglers on here could say how you could tell a male from a female. And "no" I aint raising his leg and taking a peek. facepalm:

swamp hunter · Jul 24, 2017

As far as Cotton Mouths go , your mileage may vary..
The Females are short and slender past the anus. The males are fat all over.
Don't do too much checking personally but that's what I heard thru the years..

Capt Quirk · Jul 24, 2017

Not sure about Timbers, but Diamondbacks, the female has a more heart shaped diamond marking.

Anvil Head · Jul 25, 2017

Diff. is more subtle on rattlers than coppers or mocs, but pretty much the same on tail taper. Rather a subjective visual call.
Surely doesn't make much difference once you get bit.
That being said......I usually go by lipstick and eyeshadow, but these days you just can't be sure.

rydert · Jul 25, 2017

Ridge Walker · Jul 26, 2017

Without probing, tail taper and counting sub caudal scales is the most reliable way. In a nutshell, males have longer and wider tails than females. Also, males get larger, so anything around the 48" mark is almost certainly a male.

Capt Quirk · Jul 26, 2017

Ridge Walker said:
Without probing, tail taper and counting sub caudal scales is the most reliable way. In a nutshell, males have longer and wider tails than females. Also, males get larger, so anything around the 48" mark is almost certainly a male.

Just be sure to rub their belly when you do this, they love a good belly rub

Hillbilly stalker · Jul 27, 2017

Ridge Walker said:
Without probing, tail taper and counting sub caudal scales is the most reliable way. In a nutshell, males have longer and wider tails than females. Also, males get larger, so anything around the 48" mark is almost certainly a male.

He did mention it ended up being 56 inches long. He said it was some kind of state record I believe. He had it mounted and keeps it in his living room. It looked a lot darker than any I've been around. He walks on a cane now and says it hurts every day. He was in a huckle berry patch when he got struck.

Anvil Head · Jul 27, 2017

Yeah.....I'm gonna probe a big ol' buzz tail. They're kind of like humans in that respect....some just don't take to that kindly. I've always gone by a respectful visual observation, besides how much does it really matter unless you are doing serious herpetology research?

timber rattler

Hillbilly stalker

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swamp hunter

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Capt Quirk

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Anvil Head

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rydert

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Ridge Walker

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Capt Quirk

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Hillbilly stalker

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Anvil Head

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