Timber Rattlesnake

Description:

The Timber rattlesnake, is a species of venomous pitviper found in the eastern United States. This is the only rattlesnake species in most of the populous northeastern United Statesl

Habitat:

Generally, this species is found in deciduous forests in rugged terrain throughout the Eastern US. During the summer, gravid (pregnant) females seem to prefer open, rocky ledges where the temperatures are higher, while males and non-gravid females tend to spend more time in cooler, denser woodland with a more closed forest canopy.

Notes:

Spotted this beauty while hiking the Woody Gap leg of the Appalachian Trail on Big Cedar Mountain (in between Blood & Springer Mountains) in Suches, GA, approximately 15 miles North of Dahlonega.