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timber rattlesnake
noun
: a widely distributed rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) chiefly of the eastern U.S.
Examples of timber rattlesnake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Specifically that means pit vipers, which includes timber rattlesnakes (found in Connecticut) and copperheads and water moccasins.
—Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2024
Learn the history of timber rattlesnakes and how Hoosiers can share the state park with these animals.
—Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 14 Mar. 2024
The timber rattlesnake, once widespread throughout the East, is now extinct in two states and endangered in eight others.
—Thomas Palmer, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019
The timber rattlesnake resides mostly in western Wisconsin.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2023
Two species of rattlesnakes inhabit Wisconsin: the timber rattlesnake and the eastern massasauga.
—Christopher Kuhagen, Journal Sentinel, 6 June 2023
The diamondback and timber rattlesnake can both be found in the southern part of the state, but diamondbacks tend to be in drier, more upland areas–especially longleaf pine forests.
—Cole Sikes Communications and Marketing Specialist Alabama Cooperative Extension System, al, 25 Apr. 2023
According to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, the timber rattlesnake — also called the American viper, black rattlesnake, eastern rattlesnake, timber rattler and canebrake — is a large pit viper with a wide distribution across the eastern half of the U.S.
—Muri Assuncao New York Daily News (tns), al, 14 Aug. 2022
Ranging from eastern North America to as far west as Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, the timber rattlesnake is the only rattler species in the populous northeastern United States and is considered endangered or threatened throughout much of that region.
—Steven Hill, Field & Stream, 11 June 2020
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'timber rattlesnake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1895, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of timber rattlesnake was
in 1895
Dictionary Entries Near timber rattlesnake
Cite this Entry
“Timber rattlesnake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timber%20rattlesnake. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Medical Definition
timber rattlesnake
noun
tim·ber rattlesnake
ˈtim-bər-
: a moderate-sized venomous rattlesnake of the genus Crotalus (C. horridus) that is widely distributed through the eastern half of the United States and feeds largely on mice and other rodents
More from Merriam-Webster on timber rattlesnake
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about timber rattlesnake
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