Originally Posted by champlain_islander
Protected here....WTF...it is a venomous snake. Why protect them.


Sycamore cued me on to this good book... "America's Snake"...

https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Snake-Rise-Timber-Rattlesnake/dp/022604064X

In the northeast part of its range, the timber rattlesnake was always local in distribution, dependent on a relatively few suitable denning sites. Said sites now often hemmed in and isolated by highways. So in New York/New England they are down to a few remnant, inbred populations.

"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744