The species was until the 1980s much more numerous along the Mississippi and Lower St. Croix Rivers northward possibly to Stillwater and Taylor’s Falls. Rattlesnakes were killed for bounties in southeastern Minnesota and have become rather rare; slow to reach reproductive maturity they are now fully protected as a state threatened/endangered species. Highly venomous, rattlesnakes generally attempt to avoid human approach and seek cover under logs, rocks, and forest debris. They usually but not always vibrate their rattles to warn of too close approach; one should exercise caution in rattlesnake habitat. Fortunately rattlesnake bites have been virtually unheard of in Minnesota. Pits before the eyes are heat sensors to detect mice, chipmunks, birds, rabbits, or other snakes.

I frequently am made aware that many people are unaware Minnesota has native rattlesnakes. This specimen is the only Timber rattlesnake from Minnesota in the fluid collections at the Science Museum of Minnesota, and is from nearly the most northern locality for the species in the state.