Ecology and Vulnerability

Timber Rattlesnake

Only two research articles covered the climate change response of five northeastern RSGCN snake species (Figure 2.14), with only one of those articles being published in the last 20 years (Panella et al., 2020). Much remains to be known about how these species may respond to climate change.

Changes in Population

In West Virginia, a 12-year study (1989-2001) found that reproductive failure occurs 25- 35% of the time. Failure is correlated with lower temperatures and above-average cloud cover during the active months of May through September (Martin, 2002).

Indirect Effects

A Conservation Species Assessment in Nebraska noted that the Timber Rattlesnake is highly vulnerable to climate change, needing rocky outcrops surrounded by specific habitat characteristics that make adaptation unlikely (Panella et al., 2022).