Stumbling Upon a Timber Rattlesnake

It was a beautiful summer day, and my friend Liz and I had decided to celebrate her graduation from nursing school with an overnighter in the backcountry. I needed to hike the Tongue Mountain Range, a peninsula jutting into Lake George in the eastern Adirondack Park, for a guidebook I was writing. Little did we know, this area was one of the few places in New York where timber rattlesnakes had escaped a couple hundred years of bounty hunters, fearful farmers, and pet-trade poachers.

As we trekked along the trail, Liz suddenly leaned toward something in the hollow of a rotting log. “What’s this?” she asked. To my surprise and alarm, a timber rattlesnake stared back at us, tightly coiled and shaking the tip of its tail. I quickly grabbed Liz’s pack and yanked her backward, shouting, “It’s a timber rattlesnake!” Timber rattlers, Crotalus horridus, are the largest venomous snake in New York and can grow over six feet long. This one was definitely mature, as big around as my wrist.

We would have walked right by it if the snake hadn’t rattled at us. Timber rattlesnakes are well-camouflaged, blending perfectly into the floor of the deciduous oak-hickory forests where they live. As members of the pit-viper family, they have temperature-sensitive pits on either side of their faces that help them sense when prey or predators approach. They don’t usually chase their food, which is typically small rodents like white-footed mice, chipmunks, or squirrels. Instead, they lie in wait, quietly striking when the opportunity presents itself. Since it takes a lot of energy to produce venom, which they mainly need for acquiring food, the average snake isn’t keen to strike a hiker. But we didn’t want to take any chances, so we quickly moved out of the area.

A New Respect for Timber Rattlesnakes

After that up-close-and-personal encounter with a timber rattlesnake, I gained a newfound respect for the species. These serpents historically slithered in forests from Georgia to southern Canada and from northeastern Texas to southwestern Wisconsin, and they were even a symbol of the American Revolution. The snake on the Gadsden flag of 1778 with the famous slogan “Don’t tread on me” was a timber rattlesnake.

However, the timber rattlesnake’s future is not as secure as it once was. They still exist in large numbers in the South, but they have fallen on hard times in the northernmost parts of their range due to a slow rate of reproduction, loss of habitat, illegal collection, and disturbances by an increasing number of recreational users. In fact, they’ve been extinct in Canada since 2001 and are listed as endangered in seven U.S. states: New Jersey, Vermont, Massachusetts, Virginia, New Hampshire, Indiana, and Ohio. They are also threatened in New York, Connecticut, Illinois, Minnesota, and Texas.

One of the reasons for their decline is their group hibernation, which makes them more vulnerable to snake-haters who can take out an entire population at once. The black market for snake pets is another threat, again due to their group hibernation habits. If roads cross their migratory path, they are also vulnerable to getting run over.

But it’s not just humans that are a threat to these fascinating creatures. Starting in 2006, timber rattlesnakes started turning up with snake fungal disease (SFD), which causes lesions on their faces and bodies and leads to behavioral changes like more frequent skin shedding, lack of appetite, and disorientation about when to take shelter. This makes them more vulnerable to predators and exposure.

The Importance of Timber Rattlesnakes in the Ecosystem

Despite the challenges they face, timber rattlesnakes play an important role in the ecosystem. They help keep populations of small rodents in check, and they are generally shy and unaggressive, preferring to hide or stubbornly stick to their course if an intruder comes near. In fact, most bites occur when people are actively harassing or handling the snakes. If you leave them alone, chances are you’ll never see them, but you’ll know they’re there, which is enough, especially if you’re a bit squeamish around snakes like I am.

I’ve learned that timber rattlesnakes are a fascinating and essential part of the natural world, and their presence in the forests of the eastern United States is a testament to the delicate balance of our ecosystems. Just knowing they’re there, even if I never encounter them directly, is a humbling reminder of the complexity and wonder of the natural world.

Timber’s Connection to Nature

As I reflect on my encounter with the timber rattlesnake, it’s made me appreciate the deep connection between nature and the materials we use in our built environments. Just as the timber rattlesnake is an integral part of the forest ecosystem, the timber we use in construction has a profound relationship with the natural world.

At Timber Building, we believe that embracing the unique properties of timber can help us forge a stronger connection with the natural environment. Unlike many synthetic building materials, timber is a renewable resource that can be harvested and managed sustainably, allowing us to enjoy its benefits while preserving the delicate balance of our ecosystems.

Exploring Timber’s Versatility

Timber is a remarkably versatile material, with a wide range of properties that make it an ideal choice for construction. From its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio to its natural ability to regulate indoor climate, timber offers a wealth of benefits that can be harnessed to create buildings that are not only environmentally friendly but also comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.

One of the most exciting developments in timber construction is the rise of mass timber technologies, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT). CLT is a versatile engineered wood product that can be used for load-bearing walls, floors, and even entire building frames, making it a game-changer in the world of sustainable construction. By leveraging the inherent strength and stability of timber, we can create structures that are not only environmentally responsible but also visually stunning.

Sustainable Forestry Practices

Of course, the true sustainability of timber construction lies not just in the material itself but in the way it is sourced and managed. Sustainable forestry practices are essential to ensuring that we can continue to enjoy the benefits of timber for generations to come, just as the timber rattlesnake has thrived in its forest habitat for centuries.

At Timber Building, we are committed to working with responsible forestry partners who prioritize the long-term health and diversity of our forests. This means embracing a balanced approach that considers not just timber production but also the preservation of natural habitats, the protection of biodiversity, and the mitigation of climate change. By sourcing our timber from sustainably managed forests, we can ensure that our built environments are not only beautiful and functional but also in harmony with the natural world.

Honoring Timber’s Cultural Significance

Timber’s connection to nature goes beyond its physical properties; it is also deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of many societies around the world. Traditional architectural styles often feature intricate woodwork, showcasing the skill and artistry of master craftsmen who have honed their techniques over generations. From the iconic pagodas of Japan to the timber-framed buildings of Europe, the use of timber has long been a testament to human ingenuity and a deep reverence for the natural world.

At Timber Building, we strive to honor this cultural legacy by incorporating elements of traditional design into our modern constructions. By blending the timeless beauty of timber with innovative construction techniques, we can create buildings that not only function as efficient, sustainable structures but also serve as a canvas for the artistic and cultural expression of the communities they serve.

Conclusion: Embracing Timber’s Transformative Potential

As I look back on my encounter with the timber rattlesnake, I’m reminded of the profound connection between the natural world and the materials we use to shape our built environments. At Timber Building, we believe that by embracing the unique properties and cultural significance of timber, we can create structures that not only mitigate our environmental impact but also foster a deeper appreciation for the natural world.

Through the use of sustainable forestry practices, innovative construction techniques, and a reverence for traditional design, we can harness the transformative potential of timber to build a future that is in harmony with the delicate ecosystems that sustain us. Just as the timber rattlesnake is an integral part of the forest, timber can be the foundation for a built environment that brings us closer to the natural world and all the wonder it has to offer.