Recent Articles from BRMC Newsletters

Rattlesnakes-Alive in the Piedmont

The Bull Run Mountains are possibly the most scrutinized and studied landscape in Virginia. Its credentials include a study of timber rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) that has been going on for 35 years, a detailed vegetation study dating back to the 1930s, and incredible history including the Civil War. For those that have just moved to the area and for those that have lived here all of their lives, there is much to learn about this unique Piedmont resource.

Timber Rattlesnakes (TRs) are one of the mountains' most fascinating residents. They make up one of the eastern-most population in Virginia, and at this point in history are generally a rare species in the Piedmont. One reason you do not see these animals occupying their historical ranges is because of their eradication by humans through direct killing and loss of habitat.

In northern Virginia, avoiding the cold of winter becomes a limiting factor. TRs need to find winter quarters (hibernacula) that stay close to 55º F, such as the deep crevices of rock outcrops. As the Piedmont was settled, the rock outcrops that provided hibernacula became fragmented features in an agricultural landscape, which is now morphing into an urban landscape. This change in land use has left the Bull Run Mountains as the last Piedmont stronghold for TRs in northern Virginia. We have the rock outcrop crevices surrounded by an intact natural landscape that TRs need to survive.

Over 47 years ago a man named William H. (Marty) Martin found and recorded his first personal sighting of a TR and it happened here in the Bull Run Mountains. Since that day, Martin has spent his research life studying these creatures from Pennsylvania to Florida, but he still comes back to these mountains every year. From Martin's work we know it takes at least four to five years for the snakes to reach sexual maturity (at about 34 inches in length) but because of insufficient fat stores in most young females, the first reproduction typically occurs at eight years of age and the interval between births is two to four years.. TRs can live to the age of 25 to 30 years. In addition, the population seems to be diminished in the most popular hiking destination, High Point, probably due to direct killing and collecting of these animals.

Population numbers are gathered when the TRs emerge from their hibernacula. They will usually spend up to two weeks at the surface or just underneath cover as they transition from their winter resting temperature to their summer active temperature. There are always one or two prime spring days to observe this emergence, and Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC) tries to bring interns and past nature camp participants to walk with Marty and witness this amazing sight. As summer progresses, Marty joins BRMC and our junior naturalists to look for gravid (pregnant) females. Once found, we plan a return trip in August to witness the birthing. In the final analysis, these long-lived creatures occupy a definite place in American forests and should be left undisturbed.

BRMC works to educate local and regional citizens about the unique life history of TRs. Often misunderstood, these animals have suffered from our ignorance over the years. Marty has never been bitten in his lifetime working with these animals. This summer BRMC provides three summer nature camps. Children will experience firsthand the natural history of the timber rattlesnake, as well as the other 30 or so reptiles and amphibians that live on these mountains. In addition, we offer a junior naturalist program that brings students in touch with Marty and other field biologists carrying out their important work here in the Bull Run Mountains.