Dry, hot weather brings timber rattlesnakes out in Westmoreland

Timber rattlesnakes spotted recently in the St. Clair and Seward areas of Westmoreland County are likely just trying to beat the heat, according to officials with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

A St. Clair police officer posted a photo on social media of a timber rattlesnake Friday. The snake was spotted on State Route 711 near Sugar Run Road, and snakes have been noticed in the Seward area, the post said.

Officer Brandon Marsh, who took the photo, said rattlesnake sightings have been more common in the area this year than in past years.

“I saw one each of the past two years. This year I’ve seen two so far, along with reports of others in a couple of areas down here,” he said.

Marsh said he created the post because “a lot of kids in the area … don’t know any better about snakes. (We) want to inform parents so they can teach their kids and everyone can be safe.”

Timber rattlesnakes are one of Pennsylvania’s three native venomous snake species and the largest of the three, with adults growing up to 54 inches in length, according to the Fish and Boat Commission.

The reptiles are known to come down from their mountainous, wooded habitat during times of extended, dry, hot weather. They follow their prey, mostly rodents, which have come down from the mountain looking for water.

“Just like people, if your favorite restaurant stops serving your favorite food, you’re going to go somewhere else for food and water,” said Mike Parker, spokesman with the Fish and Boat Commission. “Most likely that’s what’s happening when we see rattlesnakes in areas that are heavily inhabited by humans. It’s probably because they’re expanding their habitat right now in search of food.

“If the rodents are having a hard time finding water on the mountain, then the rodents are moving, and if the snakes don’t have the rodents to eat, they’re going to follow those.”

Henry Kacprzyk, education specialist at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium, said the snakes tend to be most active between April and October.

The snakes are fairly common in Pennsylvania but usually don’t cross paths with people.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, it’s best just to let the snake be, Parker said. If you’re hiking and hear a rattling sound, stop walking until you’ve determined where the sound is coming from. Then stay out of the snake’s way or go back the way you came. Staying calm is key, he said.

“That snake is not going to interfere with people unless provoked,” he said. “They’re not looking to interfere with humans or just attack people or bite people. They’re not interested in your pets. They will strike if they’re provoked, so if you’re poking at it or trying to remove it, they can sometimes become more aggressive, but most of the time timber rattlesnakes are extremely docile creatures.”

Emily Czapko, with the UPMC Pittsburgh Poison Center, said 51 snake bites were reported to the center in 2023, and so far this year 22 have been reported.

Czapko said about 85% of callers were treated at a local healthcare facility.

“They have no reason to come after you except for defense,” Kacprzyk added. He recommended taking a walking stick and wearing boots if you are going to be hiking in mountain woods.

Timber rattlesnakes are a protected species in the state — they cannot be killed or hunted without permits, Parker said. The exception is if someone is physically threatened or in danger.

“It’s important to remind everyone that it is illegal to just kill snakes,” he said. “You may not like snakes, but it is not legal just to kill a snake just because you don’t like seeing one.”

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