Encounter with Timber Rattlesnake

Timber rattlesnake (photo courtesy of NC Cooperative Extension Service)

Sage Canine Advice, from Sage Riverdog – Sept. 2, 2012

My pack of two humans (Edna and John) and my sister Pepper spent yesterday at South Mountains State Park. There are many trails and a waterfall, which I wrote about a few weeks ago. I haven't told you about our encounter with a timber rattlesnake on that last visit. 

I love the park's mountain streams!

Two weeks ago we took a wonderful 8-mile hike in the pouring rain. It was great, although some of my pack (the humans) didn't think so. They wanted to see these neat trails when the weather was nice.

About 6 miles into the hike where the Upper Falls horse trail connects with a hikers-only Shinny Trail, we started our descent from about 2,200 feet. We saw a box turtle, which hissed at my sister Pepper and offended her something terrible.

About a half mile further when we were climbing among the rhododendrons and hemlocks, we were stopped short. John said back-up now. Edna grabbed us, got us back on our leashes and moved us down the hill and told us to sit.

What I was totally oblivious of was a 4-foot-long timber rattlesnake curled up on the trail in front of us. We had startled it. Apparently the fall is the mating time for timber rattlesnakes and the males move around more. 

John found a long stick, and after a few minutes he walked up the trail making sure the snake had moved on. (Eastern rattlesnakes, though big and scary, much prefer to warn big animals like us with their tails than bite them!) Edna pulled our leashes close and hurried us up the trail when John sounded the OK. John kept the long stick handy the rest of the walk. 

Pepper and I had no idea what happened. Snakes just don't smell like anything we would be interested in. We did sense there was something seriously wrong and made sure we minded everything we were told.

I'm sure we'll go back and hike again soon at South Mountains State Park, since it's such a cool place for dogs and only about 50 miles northwest of the Catawba River District, in southern Burke County. We just have to keep in mind that we are the visitors and the permanent residents like the snakes, deer, turtles, wild turkeys and an occasional black bear need to be respected.

Maybe you'd like to visit the park, too. 
CLICK HERE to learn more about South Mountains State Park. 
CLICK HERE to learn more about timber rattlesnakes.

About Sage – Sage is a black Labrador retriever who lives with River District Executive Director Edna Chirico and Edna’s husband, John Huber. Sage earned a Canine Good Citizen award, which allows her to visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools. Sage loves to run, fetch, swim, ride in boats, travel in the car and play with just about anyone, especially children.