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"Timber Rattlesnakes in New Jersey" Program
Rattlesnakes have a low reproductive potential because females reach maturity at a late age, usually reproducing only once every three to four years. First-time birthing females typically give live birth to small litters of just a few individuals, but as they grow and increase their own fat stores, females are able to birth as many as 15 young! Unfortunately, only about ˝ to 2/3 survive their first year as these young snakes have many predators. Habitat destruction and alteration and human encroachment into timber rattlesnake habitat are currently considered the greatest threats to their survival in New Jersey. However, another threat has emerged in recent years, Snake Fungal Disease. While other states have documented disease-related mortality to rattlesnakes, New Jersey has yet only verified disease-related deaths to other snake species. More information about rattlesnakes is available in the Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of New Jersey. Studied by so many researchers and academics for decades, there is a wealth of information available regarding this snake's life history requirements, habitat needs, dispersal distances/home ranges, etc., although there is little known about their first few years of life. At this time, New Jersey biologists (ENSP, non-profits, academics and private researchers) are mainly focusing on four issues: 1) Habitat management to benefit the snakes and hopefully, deter them from residential communities and roads, In order for these efforts to be successful, public involvement plays a key role to their success. ENSP biologists are depending on residents and visitors to New Jersey to report any rattlesnakes they come across on public and private lands and roads. Such information is helpful in understanding their continued persistence in the State, important travel corridors, and in some cases, identifying critical habitats (dens, gestation and birthing areas, shedding stations) in need of protection. If you see a rattlesnake, ENSP asks that you take the following actions to: 1) Report the observation: Identifying a Timber Rattlesnake: ![]() For additional help with the identification of this species please see the:
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