4-29-18

Trip Details

Location: Jackson County, Iowa

Weather: 60 degrees, sunny, breezy

Time: 2:00 pm

Herpers: Jim Scharosch

Account by: Jim Scharosch

Photos by: Jim Scharosch

April is usually a little early in the year for timber rattlesnakes in Iowa but the weather had been warm for the past week so I took a shot at a spot we visit often. I started at the southernmost of the three dens on the property and found an adult Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) that had already ventured fifty feet or so down the hill from den.

I was sure this was a good sign that I would see more since this den has the smallest population of the three, but it wasn't to be. It was the only snake of the day. In a few weeks they will be turning up regularly here. It was still nice to get out and see this early season timber hanging out though.