OPERATION HORRIDUS
NOTE: The information contained on this page is very environmentally sensitive. Please do not randomly give out the address of this site to just anyone. Why am I asking you this? Simply put--it's because research on certain species of animals, especially the rare, unusual and "dangerous" species, can often attract the wrong kind of people. These people may be harmless "herpers" searching for new finds/photos to log in their notebooks...or poachers out for skins, trophies and animals to sell/breed for the pet trade. In the attempt to keep these harmful individuals out of the study area (which is private, posted and patrolled) I will not give out location information on this website or to anyone I do not know or trust. The existence of these special animals and their habitats is very fragile and we need to do all we can to protect them. If you are interested in speaking with me about this research, please feel free to e-mail me at any time.
Late in the spring of 2000 I began a Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) census and movement study in a remote area of North Carolina. Working with the support and assistance of a local Naturalist and his team I was able to study the areas population of resident Timber Rattlesnakes and many other species of native reptiles and amphibians.
Sadly, from fall of 2003 to winter of 2007 the project was put on hold because all public access to the property was removed. In 2007 access was restored to this wonderful site for conservation and research purposes only. Since then I have been occasionally returning to the site on a limited basis (when I have the time) to continue my studies of the herpetofauna of this unique area.
The goals of this research were as follows: 1. Census the local population of Timber Rattlesnakes at the study site by using a series of cover boards and paint marking of all captured snakes for later visual ID. 2. Locate the critical habitat areas (hibernaculums, gestation/rookery sites and high usage areas) that are critical for the survival of the timber rattlesnake in the study area. Data collected from this study would allow the generation of detailed maps of the high use areas and of the snakes seasonal movements over time. This vital habitat use data would have allowed protection of these high use areas from human encroachment and degradation. This data will allow the land owners to locate and map the concentrations of Timber rattlers in the area for future study and protection. This data will also allow us to re-locate paint-marked nuisance Timbers into areas the snakes are familiar with which will cause less stress on the individual animals (prior to this research they have all been released into the same remote area or killed on the spot!) 3. Educate. Another benefit of this research was for for the local naturalists. Since beginning this research in 2000 we educators have been incorporating the message of reptile and habitat conservation into all of our programs and presentations. I have personally led several multi-day expeditions of summer campers into the backcountry portion of the study area with the main goal of locating timber rattlers and other native reptiles and amphibians in order to expose interested youngsters to the wonderful world of reptiles and nature. These trips were all great successes and I would like to continue them in the future if at all possible.
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OPERATION HORRIDUS Notes.
August 2000--A grand discovery--three adult Rattlesnakes in the same location!
Under this old box...
Take a look at what I found!
It was quite a nice surprise after spending most of the unusually hot and humid day searching many a rocky outcrop, deadfall and stump and turning up nothing.
Adrenaline rush--I'll say!! The only problem was that I had left the snake hook back at the Land Rover...I had to use a stick and bare hands to get both snakes into a snake bag for the trip home...! Needless to say, I was quite spent after the ordeal--but both snakes were successfully bagged with no harm to them or myself. (Next time I will not forget the hook and tongs...what was I thinking!!!)
Below are several pictures of the largest of the two snakes...a big 48.5 inch male. He sure is beautiful isn't he!
I can't say it enough...the Rattlesnake is one of the Earth's ultimate predators...they must be protected from senseless killing and exploitation. Not only does the snake itself need protection but in order for it to survive and continue it's habitat must also be protected from fragmentation and destruction.
Rattlesnakes are very unique animals that occur only in the Americas. Beyond this, they are here to serve a specialized purpose--rodent control. Without Timber rattlers and other snakes--we would be overrun with rodents. Don't think this is a problem? Think again---remember the Black Plague?
Rattlesnakes, like every other animal on the Earth, are a link in the web of life that allows this planet to function independently. When you remove one strand from that fragile web, others weaken. Eventually, if enough strands are broken--like a real spider's web, it will collapse. We cannot let that happen.
For Operation Horridus PAGE II click:HERE
Late in the spring of 2000 I began a Timber Rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) census and movement study in a remote area of North Carolina. Working with the support and assistance of a local Naturalist and his team I was able to study the areas population of resident Timber Rattlesnakes and many other species of native reptiles and amphibians.
Sadly, from fall of 2003 to winter of 2007 the project was put on hold because all public access to the property was removed. In 2007 access was restored to this wonderful site for conservation and research purposes only. Since then I have been occasionally returning to the site on a limited basis (when I have the time) to continue my studies of the herpetofauna of this unique area.
The goals of this research were as follows: 1. Census the local population of Timber Rattlesnakes at the study site by using a series of cover boards and paint marking of all captured snakes for later visual ID. 2. Locate the critical habitat areas (hibernaculums, gestation/rookery sites and high usage areas) that are critical for the survival of the timber rattlesnake in the study area. Data collected from this study would allow the generation of detailed maps of the high use areas and of the snakes seasonal movements over time. This vital habitat use data would have allowed protection of these high use areas from human encroachment and degradation. This data will allow the land owners to locate and map the concentrations of Timber rattlers in the area for future study and protection. This data will also allow us to re-locate paint-marked nuisance Timbers into areas the snakes are familiar with which will cause less stress on the individual animals (prior to this research they have all been released into the same remote area or killed on the spot!) 3. Educate. Another benefit of this research was for for the local naturalists. Since beginning this research in 2000 we educators have been incorporating the message of reptile and habitat conservation into all of our programs and presentations. I have personally led several multi-day expeditions of summer campers into the backcountry portion of the study area with the main goal of locating timber rattlers and other native reptiles and amphibians in order to expose interested youngsters to the wonderful world of reptiles and nature. These trips were all great successes and I would like to continue them in the future if at all possible.
=================================================================
OPERATION HORRIDUS Notes.
August 2000--A grand discovery--three adult Rattlesnakes in the same location!
Under this old box...
Take a look at what I found!
It was quite a nice surprise after spending most of the unusually hot and humid day searching many a rocky outcrop, deadfall and stump and turning up nothing.
Adrenaline rush--I'll say!! The only problem was that I had left the snake hook back at the Land Rover...I had to use a stick and bare hands to get both snakes into a snake bag for the trip home...! Needless to say, I was quite spent after the ordeal--but both snakes were successfully bagged with no harm to them or myself. (Next time I will not forget the hook and tongs...what was I thinking!!!)
Below are several pictures of the largest of the two snakes...a big 48.5 inch male. He sure is beautiful isn't he!
I can't say it enough...the Rattlesnake is one of the Earth's ultimate predators...they must be protected from senseless killing and exploitation. Not only does the snake itself need protection but in order for it to survive and continue it's habitat must also be protected from fragmentation and destruction.
Rattlesnakes are very unique animals that occur only in the Americas. Beyond this, they are here to serve a specialized purpose--rodent control. Without Timber rattlers and other snakes--we would be overrun with rodents. Don't think this is a problem? Think again---remember the Black Plague?
Rattlesnakes, like every other animal on the Earth, are a link in the web of life that allows this planet to function independently. When you remove one strand from that fragile web, others weaken. Eventually, if enough strands are broken--like a real spider's web, it will collapse. We cannot let that happen.
For Operation Horridus PAGE II click:HERE
The goals of this research were as follows: 1. Census the local population of Timber Rattlesnakes at the study site by using a series of cover boards and paint marking of all captured snakes for later visual ID. 2. Locate the critical habitat areas (hibernaculums, gestation/rookery sites and high usage areas) that are critical for the survival of the timber rattlesnake in the study area. Data collected from this study would allow the generation of detailed maps of the high use areas and of the snakes seasonal movements over time. This vital habitat use data would have allowed protection of these high use areas from human encroachment and degradation. This data will allow the land owners to locate and map the concentrations of Timber rattlers in the area for future study and protection. This data will also allow us to re-locate paint-marked nuisance Timbers into areas the snakes are familiar with which will cause less stress on the individual animals (prior to this research they have all been released into the same remote area or killed on the spot!) 3. Educate. Another benefit of this research was for for the local naturalists. Since beginning this research in 2000 we educators have been incorporating the message of reptile and habitat conservation into all of our programs and presentations. I have personally led several multi-day expeditions of summer campers into the backcountry portion of the study area with the main goal of locating timber rattlers and other native reptiles and amphibians in order to expose interested youngsters to the wonderful world of reptiles and nature. These trips were all great successes and I would like to continue them in the future if at all possible.
=================================================================
OPERATION HORRIDUS Notes.
August 2000--A grand discovery--three adult Rattlesnakes in the same location!
Under this old box...
Take a look at what I found!
It was quite a nice surprise after spending most of the unusually hot and humid day searching many a rocky outcrop, deadfall and stump and turning up nothing.
Adrenaline rush--I'll say!! The only problem was that I had left the snake hook back at the Land Rover...I had to use a stick and bare hands to get both snakes into a snake bag for the trip home...! Needless to say, I was quite spent after the ordeal--but both snakes were successfully bagged with no harm to them or myself. (Next time I will not forget the hook and tongs...what was I thinking!!!)
Below are several pictures of the largest of the two snakes...a big 48.5 inch male. He sure is beautiful isn't he!
I can't say it enough...the Rattlesnake is one of the Earth's ultimate predators...they must be protected from senseless killing and exploitation. Not only does the snake itself need protection but in order for it to survive and continue it's habitat must also be protected from fragmentation and destruction.
Rattlesnakes are very unique animals that occur only in the Americas. Beyond this, they are here to serve a specialized purpose--rodent control. Without Timber rattlers and other snakes--we would be overrun with rodents. Don't think this is a problem? Think again---remember the Black Plague?
Rattlesnakes, like every other animal on the Earth, are a link in the web of life that allows this planet to function independently. When you remove one strand from that fragile web, others weaken. Eventually, if enough strands are broken--like a real spider's web, it will collapse. We cannot let that happen.
For Operation Horridus PAGE II click:HERE
August 2000--A grand discovery--three adult Rattlesnakes in the same location!
Under this old box...
Take a look at what I found!
It was quite a nice surprise after spending most of the unusually hot and humid day searching many a rocky outcrop, deadfall and stump and turning up nothing.
Adrenaline rush--I'll say!! The only problem was that I had left the snake hook back at the Land Rover...I had to use a stick and bare hands to get both snakes into a snake bag for the trip home...! Needless to say, I was quite spent after the ordeal--but both snakes were successfully bagged with no harm to them or myself. (Next time I will not forget the hook and tongs...what was I thinking!!!)
Below are several pictures of the largest of the two snakes...a big 48.5 inch male. He sure is beautiful isn't he!
I can't say it enough...the Rattlesnake is one of the Earth's ultimate predators...they must be protected from senseless killing and exploitation. Not only does the snake itself need protection but in order for it to survive and continue it's habitat must also be protected from fragmentation and destruction.
Rattlesnakes are very unique animals that occur only in the Americas. Beyond this, they are here to serve a specialized purpose--rodent control. Without Timber rattlers and other snakes--we would be overrun with rodents. Don't think this is a problem? Think again---remember the Black Plague?
Rattlesnakes, like every other animal on the Earth, are a link in the web of life that allows this planet to function independently. When you remove one strand from that fragile web, others weaken. Eventually, if enough strands are broken--like a real spider's web, it will collapse. We cannot let that happen.
For Operation Horridus PAGE II click:HERE
Take a look at what I found!
It was quite a nice surprise after spending most of the unusually hot and humid day searching many a rocky outcrop, deadfall and stump and turning up nothing.
Adrenaline rush--I'll say!! The only problem was that I had left the snake hook back at the Land Rover...I had to use a stick and bare hands to get both snakes into a snake bag for the trip home...! Needless to say, I was quite spent after the ordeal--but both snakes were successfully bagged with no harm to them or myself. (Next time I will not forget the hook and tongs...what was I thinking!!!)
Below are several pictures of the largest of the two snakes...a big 48.5 inch male. He sure is beautiful isn't he!
I can't say it enough...the Rattlesnake is one of the Earth's ultimate predators...they must be protected from senseless killing and exploitation. Not only does the snake itself need protection but in order for it to survive and continue it's habitat must also be protected from fragmentation and destruction.
Rattlesnakes are very unique animals that occur only in the Americas. Beyond this, they are here to serve a specialized purpose--rodent control. Without Timber rattlers and other snakes--we would be overrun with rodents. Don't think this is a problem? Think again---remember the Black Plague?
Rattlesnakes, like every other animal on the Earth, are a link in the web of life that allows this planet to function independently. When you remove one strand from that fragile web, others weaken. Eventually, if enough strands are broken--like a real spider's web, it will collapse. We cannot let that happen.
For Operation Horridus PAGE II click:HERE
Adrenaline rush--I'll say!! The only problem was that I had left the snake hook back at the Land Rover...I had to use a stick and bare hands to get both snakes into a snake bag for the trip home...! Needless to say, I was quite spent after the ordeal--but both snakes were successfully bagged with no harm to them or myself. (Next time I will not forget the hook and tongs...what was I thinking!!!)
Below are several pictures of the largest of the two snakes...a big 48.5 inch male. He sure is beautiful isn't he!
I can't say it enough...the Rattlesnake is one of the Earth's ultimate predators...they must be protected from senseless killing and exploitation. Not only does the snake itself need protection but in order for it to survive and continue it's habitat must also be protected from fragmentation and destruction.
Rattlesnakes are very unique animals that occur only in the Americas. Beyond this, they are here to serve a specialized purpose--rodent control. Without Timber rattlers and other snakes--we would be overrun with rodents. Don't think this is a problem? Think again---remember the Black Plague?
Rattlesnakes, like every other animal on the Earth, are a link in the web of life that allows this planet to function independently. When you remove one strand from that fragile web, others weaken. Eventually, if enough strands are broken--like a real spider's web, it will collapse. We cannot let that happen.
For Operation Horridus PAGE II click:HERE
I can't say it enough...the Rattlesnake is one of the Earth's ultimate predators...they must be protected from senseless killing and exploitation. Not only does the snake itself need protection but in order for it to survive and continue it's habitat must also be protected from fragmentation and destruction.
Rattlesnakes are very unique animals that occur only in the Americas. Beyond this, they are here to serve a specialized purpose--rodent control. Without Timber rattlers and other snakes--we would be overrun with rodents. Don't think this is a problem? Think again---remember the Black Plague?
Rattlesnakes, like every other animal on the Earth, are a link in the web of life that allows this planet to function independently. When you remove one strand from that fragile web, others weaken. Eventually, if enough strands are broken--like a real spider's web, it will collapse. We cannot let that happen.
For Operation Horridus PAGE II click:HERE
Rattlesnakes, like every other animal on the Earth, are a link in the web of life that allows this planet to function independently. When you remove one strand from that fragile web, others weaken. Eventually, if enough strands are broken--like a real spider's web, it will collapse. We cannot let that happen.
For Operation Horridus PAGE II click:HERE