Stand your ground and slowly back away. Snakes Here in the Appalachian Mountains humans share habitat with small populations of timber rattlesnakes. Winter hibernators, rattlers emerge from their dens in April. Many individuals migrate a mile or more to summer foraging areas, where they feed mainly on small mammals. At the Delaware Watergap National Recreation Area, biologists and park rangers collaborate with state wildlife agencies and private conservation organizations to protect timber rattlesnake populations.
Recovery depends on effective research, education and law enforcement.