TCD said:
I'm not sure of the reason, but it certainly seems like the area around Lake George and the Southern end of Lake Champlain is rattlesnake country.
It would be interesting to know what factors might be behind this, beyond the obvious availability of sunny ledges and caves. Rattlesnakes are almost never found in the High Peaks region (I have never heard of a report). They are also entirely absent in Glens Falls (where I live).
But they are common in several areas:
Tongue Mountain;
Black Mountain Point (I understand they can swim the lake at the narrows);
Lake George Islands;
The South Bay ridge (the ridge East of South Bay Road, North of Fort Ann);
The Diameter (a rocky slope on the South Bay of Lake Champlain).
Interestingly, they are rare in the Gunks, which would seem an ideal habitat. The venomous snake common there is the Copperhead.
TCD
Well,
I am certainly no expert. But the gentleman that was speaking at the ADK Loj was a very well respected expert in the field. A Full Professor on the subject in some university. Wrote books and has been working with snakes for some 40 plus years.
I wish I had more details but I and Doodles and Gail were hiking all day and the room was real hot and I found it hard to remember everything he said.
BUT -
I do remember a few things.
There are a few areas in the Northeast where you can find a lot of Timber Rattlesnakes and the Lake George area is one of the Prime locations.
You won't find any Timber rattlesnakes in the High Peaks. He explained why, but I don't remember. I was probably yawning at the time.
There are a few Snake dens in the Lake George area. A snake den can house up to 200 to 500 Timber Rattlesnakes. One of the dens he is familiar with has close to 300 Timber Rattlers in it.
You won't spot them too easily as in the day time they prefer to stay out of sight. Meaning under bushes and especially under rocks where there is room enough for them to slither up under.
So, watch where you put your hands and feet when you are climbing and walking around.
I think he said they hibernate in the dens mostly all winter long.
I guess, one could Google Timber Rattlesnakes ...
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/tirafs.html
http://www.esf.edu/PUBPROG/brochure/snakes/snakes.htm
This was copied from the adk loj Lecture series section of th website.
This is the guy who gave the talk.
The Outdoor Experience and Timber Rattlesnakes
July 22 William Brown
In late summer, rattlesnakes move often and therefore may come into contact with humans. On a hiking trail on a warm summer day, encountering a rattlesnake is an uncommon but memorable outdoor experience. Tonight ADK welcomes Skidmore College professor William Brown as he discusses these beautiful and shy creatures, common-sense precautions, as well as medical approaches to venomous snakebites.
Iknow....too much unsolicited information, but if you are interetsed in reading there is plenty out there to read about the timber rattlers.
Zer0-G
