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We were hiking on the Mountain to Sea Trail today (5/11/14) between Oxcreek Road and Craven Gap and came across a large (4.5') fat black Timber Rattlesnake, laying in the trail, sunning itself. Threw a few sticks, but refused to move. Some people behind us were letting their black lab run loose. We waited for the dog to run up to us, grabbed its leash and waited for them. They didn't let him run free after that. This is the first Timber Rattler I've seen on the MST/BRP, but it is the perfect habitat. I posted a poor I-Phone picture on the Photo section, but you can see the snake. This is the first time I left my Canon S95 at home, but not again. Many lovely wild flowers out today also. I would rather meet a black bear any day, than to step on that fellow. I don't believe in snake handling.
Ha. I was just saying how in all my years hiking in WNC I've yet to see one in the wild. Use to choose that section of trail to do tough trail runs too. Crazy! You were awesome for stopping the pooch! If the owners didn't thank you a ton they are dumb.
It was a special experience to see that snake in its natural habitat. It was a prime specimen. Finding out more about them on the Web, I was surprised to learn that they can be in a wide range of colors. We also have a picture of a small green garter snake that was in that exact place on the way out. No evidence, but maybe it fell victim to the rattler. We caught those people's dog running up and down the trail several times. That dog would have surely stuck its face down to that snake. I've hiked a lot in VA and NC and never saw a Timber Rattler before. Hopefully, it didn't bite anyone or any dog and that no one killed it.
They are common in this area. We have seen several on our property over the years so we keep our eyes open. Copperheads around too. They come with the territory!
Cool pic, and good job on corralling the dog...
Have seen a few up here, in our 'yard' and while wandering around our mtn, though none that big.
Even the small models are very aggressive/defensive if one peers in closely.
We have a few black racers around and some of the lit suggests they keep the timbers 'away', but all snakes are good creatures and exc mouser/critter getters, imo.
GL, mD
What I regret about that encounter is I didn't have the right camera (zoom lens) to get a full frame of the snake. He/she was impressive as it looked us over, but it never coiled, which is a prerequisite before striking. That area is close to the Rattle Snake Lodge Trail, where there was a bounty of $5 per rattle snake. Apparently, enough survived. Timber rattlers are extinct in most New England states. I also read that the state with the most annual snake bites, not indicated whether venomous, is North Carolina. My wife decided not to wear shorts when hiking anymore. I hope we get to see another one.
I've gotten into researching more about Timber Rattlers and venomous snakes in general. I was totally wrong to state that a snake has to coil before striking. That is an old myth. After further review, a Timber Rattlesnake can strike from any position, even if stretched out. However, their greatest striking distance, about one-half of their length, occurs when they are coiled. There's a lot about these snakes on the web, as well as some nasty experiences from people bitten. Basically, be observant of your surroundings and watch where you step and put your hands.
My daughter and I just ran into one of those little darlings on a trail in the Daniel Boone National Forest in eastern Kentucky. She was ahead of me, and all of a sudden she stopped dead in her tracks and there he was, in the middle of the trail, all coiled up, rattling, and feinting with his head, which we later read means that he more than likely meant to strike if he had the chance.
We are rookie hikers so we basically freaked out as quietly as possible under the circumstances and jogged a wide arc through the woods to the left of the trail until we were well around him. Seeing something like that really makes you think twice about what dangers can lurk when hiking in the woods.
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