Reptile & Amphibian Forums

howdy folks. i was shown a picture of a timber rattle snake that was claimed to be found up ice house road. ice house is about 1 hour west of lake tahoe. elevation is around the 4000-5000 feet mark. i need to know if this is true. im going camping there this weekend armed with meh herping boots, hook, head lamp, and of course a camera. every guide i have looked at show the timbers to not even be in the western united states. is there a timber population here or was the person showing the picture full of it? it was a timber in the picture. thanks in advance.

~JQ
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"who knows". Edgar ~ Skepticism Inc.

boy, that would be a great range extention, if you find one let us know and good luck!!

Most likely, your buddy confused the local Western Rattler, with the Timber Rattler. Western Rattlers range high up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

If you want to see them, stay in the American River Canyon. Peavine Ridge, Bridal Veil Picnic Area. I think that most of the Crystal Basin is a little too high for Crotalus, though the habitat looks good. Icehouse is, however, great for Rubber Boas. Good luck in your search.

My guess would be that the person was mistaken. As you indicated, Timbers aren't found anywhere near there. It's probably much like here in the Northern Nevada region...every rattlesnake that is found in a forested area (in the timber) is automatically a timber rattler. Of course, stranger things have happened so I suppose there is a miniscule chance of one being located there, but I seriously doubt a population of them.