Timber Rattler On my Property Had to go

[Platefire]

Don't enjoy killing critters but this bad hombre had to go

[Platefire]

I think I may have miss ID'ed this snake. From new information I've found I believe it may be what is known as rare Black Tailed Rattle Snake. They are known to have been seen in the hill country of Texas but if I'm correct, then it means they have made it to North West Louisiana. Texas is about 20 miles away. It definitely has a solid black tail right before the rattlers. I welcome any experts to verify the ID as I certainly am not an expert. Attached is a link for info on the Black TailRattler, it you want to read up on it.

https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/rare-blacktail-rattlesnake-texas-18375562.php

[EL34]

That does not look like the Timber Rattlers we have here

[sluckey]

That's definitely a Timber rattler, AKA Canebrake Rattler. The color does get darker, even black towards the rattles. It's common to see slight color/pattern variations in different regions.

https://www.google.com/search?q=timber+rattler&tbm=isch&chips=q:timber+rattler,g_1:north+carolina:Mi3i_QHJrRY%3D,online_chips:eastern+timber:YmhfIepwHkg%3D&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiSxrDcmMGBAxX5oYkEHf7cBb0Q4lYoA3oECAEQPg&biw=1518&bih=734#imgrc=RoK8KNflSqJm7M

[Platefire]

What made me question my first ID was the snake didn't coil up, didn't rattle or move. I walked at a fast pace back to the house and got my shotgun and I expected to see him gone, but he was in the same place and politely let me shoot him. They say the Black Tail is the most docile rattle snake. All other rattle snakes I've encountered coiled up and rattled---so that was my reason for questioning my original ID. He might just have been coming out of hibernation and wasn't up to full potential?

[sluckey]

Most timber rattlers I have encountered were not very aggressive like a diamondback. I can't even recall any defensive strikes unless provoked. Mostly slow, even sluggish motion.

[EL34]

The timber rattlers here are more brownish and black.
But they can also be all black or a cream color

The brownish chocolate ones are beautiful
This is a typical one I see here in the mountains

[sluckey]

This is a typical one I see here in the mountains

I recognize that as a timber rattler.

[PRR]

Your state taxes keep some biologists off the streets and gutters. They make reports justifying their salaries. Use them!

I had several salamanders and my state folks helped with ID, but also put me on to iNaturalist where a million hobbyists cross-check each other. If you PM me a location (I can futz it) and size I can post your pictures and see what is suggested.

Apologies if you already consulted this:
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/species
https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/species/detail/timber-rattlesnake
If black-tails are coming into Louisiana without visas, these people might like to know.

I have garter/garden snakes. About every other lawnmowing I hit one.  This last time the next day I found a little-teeny snake, maybe just born/hatched.

[PRR]

There are 2 to 5 "black-tail rattlesnakes". (Only a biologist can tell sub-species apart.)
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/515948-Crotalus-molossus
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/30733-Crotalus-molossus-nigrescens
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/115551
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&taxon_id=30732

Subspecies    Common name    Geographic range
C. m. molossus    Northern black-tailed rattlesnake    United States (Arizona, New Mexico, southwest Texas), Mexico
C. m. nigrescens    Mexican black-tailed rattlesnake    Mexico (South Sonora, southwest Chihuahua, southern Coahuila, south to Oaxaca and Veracruz, Tlaxcala)
C. m. oaxacus    Oaxacan black-tailed rattlesnake    Mexico (Oaxaca)

IAC, July-Aug is a peak season and not much down in September.

[Platefire]

Thanks PRR, for all the info on the Black Tail and Timber Rattlers. Of all the black tails I observed on the sites you linked the Northern Black Tail comes closest but still not there. On the site for timber rattlers it said they have a reddish line that runs down the length of their back through all the other marking and my snake certainly has that. It also said they tend to lay still not moving very much. I'm pretty convinced it is a Timber Rattler.

I did try to find a location on the sites where I could send them a picture and get them to verify it, but I didn't find a spot I could send a message/picture on. So if you can point me to a place on the sites/links I can do that or you can
yourself also, if you like. I do think if by some if by some far chance it was a type of Black Tail, they would be interested
to know about it---a Long Horn Black Tail converting to Cajun Black Tail:>)

[EL34]

Could be
This page shows the Timber Rattler range

https://wildlifepreservation.ca/blog/urban-vipers-5-the-timber-rattlesnakes-of-lenexa-kansas/

[sluckey]

I did try to find a location on the sites where I could send them a picture and get them to verify it, but I didn't find a spot I could send a message/picture on.

Be careful posting info about a dead timber rattler on the net. They are protected in some states. Texas has a big fine for killing one. Here's what LA has to say. Read the second sentence...

     https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/species/detail/timber-rattlesnake
 

[EL34]

Yep, they are protected here
I move them off the trail and roads when I see them

[PRR]

Be careful posting info about a dead timber rattler on the net. They are protected in some states.

He needs a permit to "possess" one. He's not possessing, he beat the life out of one. That seems to still be legal in LA.

They always say there are no poisonous animals in Maine. Apparently there WERE Timber rattlesnakes into the early 1800s but they got them all(?). OTOH we think one of our dogs died from licking toads.

[sluckey]

Be careful posting info about a dead timber rattler on the net. They are protected in some states.

He needs a permit to "possess" one. He's not possessing, he beat the life out of one. That seems to still be legal in LA.

Not a point I'd care to argue with a LA game warden.

[EL34]

Game wardens in this area do not Eff around

[shooter]

here either, my last encounter he wanted to see my license, I asked which one, I have 4?  he wasn't impressed. sadly here they are not much more than State sponsored revenuers, seldom if ever patrolling anywhere other than "tourist areas"

[Platefire]

Well Thanks, I didn't think about that! With grandchildren running around my place, seemed wise to eliminate the threat.

I got bit by a copper head back in the 70's. He only got one fang in me. I spent the night in the hospital. No ill effects! Since then when I walk in the woods, I always inspect the ground before me, before I walk it. In the wintertime you can relax a bit

This is a pretty interesting video to demonstrate Rattle Snake behavior 

https://a-z-animals.com/blog/will-rattlesnakes-chase-you-if-threatened-watch-one-man-find-out-once-and-for-all/?from=exit_intenthttp://

[sluckey]

I would have done the same but would not put it on the net. They are not protected in Alabama. The only reason I know they are protected in some states is because of an episode of Lone Star Law about a year ago. Long time ago, my brother and I used to make belts, watchbands, choker necklaces, and guitar straps from rattlers and copperheads.