This species occupies a wide diversity of terrestrial habitats, but is found most frequently in deciduous forests and high ground in swamps. Heavy-bodied adults are usually 3 to 4, and occasionally 5, ft. long. Their basic color is gray with black crossbands that usually are chevron-shaped.
Timber rattlesnakes feed on various rodents, rabbits, and occasionally birds.
These rattlesnakes are generally passive if not disturbed or pestered in some way.