and Throughout the forest! of Timber Rattlesnake mountainous areas, and ia This range is but a remnant Kstem North America, the (Crotalua horridus). In absent only in the of the state-wide distribution irgest and most formidable Pennsylvania the Timber southeastern corner and of pre-colonial times, momous snake is the Rattlesnake is widespread in western edge of the state, documented by rattlesnake STA-RHE Milking Equipment and SUNSET Milk Tank Tom Lapp, Gap R.D., says he likes the simpleness and compactness of the design of the system. “It’s pretty simple,” he comments, “as far as getting ready to milk, and wash up are concerned. It’s quick and easy. Also this 800 gallon round Sunset tank takes up only about the same space as my old 450 gallon square tank.’-' Tom also says, "the Agway installation and service crews are very efficient, and after installation, the servicemen were always prompt in handling any question or problems that came up.” Timber rattlesnake most formidable in G ANOTHER SATISFIED USER OF SUPPLY CENTER 1027 Dillerville Rd Lancaster, Pa. 717-397-4761 Open Friday Eve. til 8 p.m. Mon. thruThurs.StoS Sat 8 to Noon m x—— jj sth Street Highway Temple, Pa 215-929-5794 Open Mon thru Fri. Bto 5 Sat 8 to Noon Lancaster Farming, Saturday, July 19,1975- is largest North America bones recovered from Indian mounds and cave deposits. The Timber Rattlesnake needs no introduction to most Pennsylvania out doorsmen. Its length (up to 60 inches), bulk, and the presence of a rattle are sufficient-for identification. The color pattern of dark siz zag crossbands on a yellow or brown background is unique. One popular misconception holds that color and sex are correlated. Yellow and brown color phases do not distinguish males from females, just blonds and brunets. The velvety black tail was noted by early - day woodsmen, who called Timber Rat tlesnakes “velvet tails” to distinguish them from rattlesnake species with banded tails. Timber Rattlesnake habitat in Pennsylvania is mountain country, the rougher the better. Rat tlesnakes usually occur on rocky ridges, most frequently on south-facing slopes. Rock ledges, slides, and talus slopes are characteristic habitats because the rattlers require secure hibernation sites extending below the frost - line. These “dens” are located in deep fissures and cracks in the rocks, or in deep talus. The snakes congregate in the den area during cool fall weather, then enter the dens and spend the winter months in hibernation. The annual cycle of rat tlesnake activity begins when they emerge from the den during the first warm days of spring. Rattlesnakes remain in the den area for some time, emerging to bask in the warm sun during the day and retreating into the den to escape cool night - time temperatures. With increasing temperatures of early summer days, the snakes move farther and farther from the den area, and eventually disperse into surrounding countryside. TRULOCK 21ST ANNIVERSARY SALE GET YOUR FREE Dickey iota MOISTURE TESTER with each Gram Storage Bin bought in July Specialists in: • Gram bins for drying and storage •Elevator legs • Transport augers • Utility augers • Gravity boxes • Wagon gears • Bulk tanks • Complete gram handling systems also A BUILDING FOR EVERY NEED [SUPERIOR) • Carports • Retail stores • Warehouses • Utility buildings • Any business facility that requires strong, dependable protection FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: GUTSHALLS SILO REPAIR R.D.#l WOMELSDORF, PA 19567 After leaving the den-site in early aununer, the rat tlesnakes change their daily cycle. Instead of basking during the day, they avoid the hot summer sun and are active at night. Summer habitats are varied: woodlots, field - edges, stone walls, or stream banks. Rattlesnake movements and locations during the summer are determined by availability of food and water. In early fall the rattlers begin to return to the den-site, where they congregate and repeat the spring basking cycle before finally entering hibernation. This entire seasonal cycle is dependent on temperature, and varies in timing from year to year according to the weather. Habitat Activity Reproduction The Timber Rattlesnake’s reproductive cycle is also geared to the seasons. Courtship and mating occur in the spring, near the den site, while males and females are concentrated. Hie young, 8 - to 10 - inch exact replicas of the adult, are bom at the end of the summer season, in late August or early September. There may be as many as seventeen in a brood, but the usual number is eight to ten. The are bom alive, fully equipped with fangs and venom. In oorthem areas where the warm season is short, the gestation period is long. Gestation is tem perature dependent. In birds and mammals, body tem peratures remain relatively constant and so do gestation and incubation periods for these animals. In reptiles and other cold* blooded vertebrates, body temperatures vary with environmental tem peratures. Since female rattlesnakes retain eggs within their bodies, the rate at which the eggs develop depends upon the female’s body temperature. Her body temperature depends upon environmental tem peratures. Because of Pennsylvania’s relatively cool climate and the resulting long gestation period, Pennsylvania rat tlesnakes bear young only in alternate years. Rattlesnakes provide no parental care for their young. They are on their own from birth and must in dependently find their way to a denning site. One theory is that the young find their way to a den by following scent trails of older rattlers. Food Habits The principal food of Timber Rattlesnakes is mammals, mostly rodents. Mammals make up between 85 percent and 95 percent of the diet. The remainder is composed of birds, eggs, and occasionally other reptiles. Rattlesnakes are well adapted to their diet of warm-blooded animals. The heat-senstive pit organ on each side of the head permits them to detect prey, even in the dark. The fangs and venom apparatus are adaptations to catch agile, fast-moving prey. Once the prey is detected and killed, it must be swallowed whole, since snake teeth are needle like and not adapted for [Continued on Page 13] 9
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers