Timber Rattlesnake Distribution

timber rattlesnake montageProject ID: WASR45

Principal Investigator: Bill Peterman

Project Overview: Once widely distributed throughout Ohio, timber rattlesnakes are now found at only a small number of forests in southern and southeastern Ohio and are listed as a state endangered species. Our research with timber rattlesnakes seeks to better understand the spatial ecology of these cryptic snakes, with specific emphasis on how forest management strategies (e.g., timber harvest, controlled burns) affect individuals and populations. To address these questions, we are taking an integrative approach that combines fine-scale modeling of spatial resources, snake movement and behavior, and habitat selection.