Timing of Illinois’ timber rattlesnake emergence studied

Scientists at the Illinois Natural History Survey have found clues to determine when the state’s timber rattlesnakes emerge from their cold-weather underground dens.
Just in case anyone wants to spy them sunning themselves in forest foliage as spring warms.
Timber rattlesnakes are considered threatened and are found in most of Illinois, particularly in southern Illinois and along the Mississippi and Illinois river border counties in remote areas with sloped terrain. Once temperatures reach the low 50s, they congregate in groups of 20 or 30 in dens to hibernate through the winter.