Nestled in the rocky outcrops of the state, rattlesnakes represent resilience and adaptability, much like Pennsylvania, a state whose history spans from the signing of the Declaration of Independence to the Gettysburg conflict.
The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) and the critically endangered eastern Massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) are two of the 21 snake species found in Pennsylvania.
5 of the state’s most rattlesnake-infested places are home to rattlesnakes, so history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts seeking a combination of historical sites and picturesque adventure should be mindful of this.
Allegheny National Forest
The 514,029-acre Allegheny National Forest is located roughly 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Hiking, paddling, off-roading, and animal viewing—including white-tailed deer, black bears, grey foxes, wild turkeys, squirrels, chipmunks, red-backed salamanders, wood frogs, beavers, raccoons, and timber rattlesnakes—make it a top destination for nature lovers.
The U.S. Forest Service has been working to protect the Allegheny Forest’s vulnerable rattlesnakes since 2015.
They have done this by implanting tracking devices in captured rattlesnakes to help biologists locate their hidden dens and improve the habitat for the snakes, which are vital to the ecosystem because they prevent Lyme disease.
Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Parts of the states of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the entire District of Columbia are all included in the more than 64,000 square mile Chesapeake Bay watershed in the eastern United States.
In addition to housing more than 18 million people and a variety of fauna, including timber rattlesnakes, the watershed is home to an extraordinarily diversified ecosystem that includes marshes, woods, and agriculture.
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The Appalachian Mountains are home to the majority of the timber rattlesnakes in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
With the exception of Delaware, killing them is prohibited in every state within the watershed.
Quehanna Wild Area
The Quehanna Wild Area, which spans over 50,000 acres near the border of Elk, Cameron, and Clearfield Counties, is the largest wild area in Pennsylvania.
Both the Elk State Forest and the Moshannon State Forest are part of the natural area. Known for its enormous elk population, the area is a birder’s dream and has been designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audobon Society.
Bears, turkeys, and white-tailed deer are among the other local animals. The natural environment is also home to top predators including golden eagles, bobcats, and coyotes, and timber rattlesnakes are rather frequent.
Blue Mountain Ridge
Part of the Appalachian Mountains, Blue Mountain Ridge is a portion of Pennsylvania’s Blue Ridge Mountains.
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The ridge, which stretches around 150 miles from the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey to Lehigh Gap, is also known as the Blue Mountains of Pennsylvania.
With lots of hiking options, including parts of the renowned Appalachian Trail, it’s a paradise for outdoor lovers.
A crucial ecological zone, Blue Mountain Ridge is also home to a variety of fauna, including timber rattlesnakes and other reptiles that use the traprock formations for sunbathing, hibernation, and protection from predators.
Pine Creek Gorge
Situated in around 160,000 acres of the Tioga State Forest, the breathtaking Pine Creek Gorge is known as the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania.” It is almost 50 miles long and 1,450 feet deep at its deepest point.
For those who enjoy the outdoors and cycling, the Pine Creek Rail Trail is a popular location.
It begins at Wellsboro Junction, travels through the Pine Creek Gorge, and ends in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania. It is the only rail route in the Appalachian Mountains of north central Pennsylvania.
Along the 63-mile beautiful trail, hikers and motorcyclists can anticipate seeing animals such as deer, river otters, coyotes, and black bears, as well as waterfalls and a variety of rock outcrops. There are a lot of timber rattlesnakes in the region.
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