In the spring and fall, timber rattlesnakes are active during the day, and during the hot summer months, they become nocturnal. Timbers appear to be lie and wait predators using many senses to detect prey. They have been observed to lie coiled up next to a fallen log with their head resting on the log. The log acts as a runway for rodents. As a rodent approaches, vibrations traveling through the log alert the snake of a possible meal.
Timber rattlesnakes are surprisingly calm when encountered in the wild.
Many will sit motionless hoping that you will not see it. If you do approach too closely, it may slither under a rock or into a crevice without rattling, unlike some other species of rattlesnakes which are more apt to stand their ground. Most of the specimens that I have found failed to sound their rattle, even when seriously molested, and did not attempt to bite. When rattlesnakes do rattle, they elevate the rattle and tail high in the air making it obvious. Non venomous snakes which vibrate their tails and produce a similar sound, will hold their tails close to the ground.