Canebrake Rattlesnake

The Canebrake Rattlesnake is actually a sub-species of the Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus horridus), found widely through the northeastern U. S. The Canebrake is lighter colored than the much darker Timber Rattlesnake. It is pinkish to light tan with dark-brown to black blotches and chevrons, and it has a marked stripe down the back and a stripe from the eye to the jaw. Although the venom of these snakes is variable, the Canebrake tends to possess a neurotoxic venom, which contributes to its overall toxicity.
Potentially, this is one of North America's most dangerous snakes, due to its long fangs, impressive size and high venom yield.

A bite from a Canebrake Rattlesnake can include nervous system affects leading to respiratory distress and cardiac arrythmias, as well as tissue damage and nerve paralysis. These are large snakes with adults averaging 3 to 6 feet in length, which can potentially deliver a massive load of very toxic venom.

Although overall, Timber Rattlesnakes are threatened in some northeastern habitats, the Canebrake sub-species is not currently an endangered species and its population seems stable in most of its southeastern U. S. range. It tends to inhabit hardwood and mixed hardwood-pine forests, cane fields, and the ridges and glades of swampy areas in the southeastern States. It overwinters in the base of hollow trees or in stumps. In cooler weather it is active during the day, but during the heat of the summer it tends to be active and hunt at night. It generally feeds on small mammals, such as rodents and occasionally amphibians, such as small frogs. It is a very important part of rodent control in its habitat.