Beware of This Rattlesnake in New Hampshire and Massachusetts This Summer

Did you know that New England has rattlesnakes?

Well, there is really just one type of rattlesnake in New England: the Timber Rattler.

This snake, as the name suggests, is a rattlesnake found in the northeast near timber (woods) such as the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Massachusetts forests, etc.

The species used to be found in parts of Rhode Island and Maine. However, the Timber Rattler has been completely wiped out in those two states.

Here is what the snake looks and sounds like:

To be clear, this snake is extremely dangerous, as it contains harmful venom.

But we as humans actually pose more of a threat to the snakes than they do to us, at least in terms of numbers.

The Timber Rattler is a "species of regional concern" in the northeast, according to a New Hampshire wildlife article. That means the species is beyond endangered in these parts.

In New England, you are most likely to encounter one of these snakes in the White Mountains, Bear Brook State Park, Lake Winnipesaukee, and near Chesterfield/Swanzey.

Although there are locations of Timber Rattler sitings in New England, you will likely never encounter one. If you do encounter one of these snakes, stay clear. The snake could harm you, but you could harm the entire species by taking just one out.

Both Massachusetts and New Hampshire wildlife have asked the public to help report sitings of the Timber Rattler.

So if you do encounter one of these rare snakes, snap a pic, take note of where you are, and walk away slowly. Don't try and be one of those funny people who gets too close and gets bit.