Timber Rattlesnakes – How They Live, What They Do

In New York, Timber Rattlesnakes are found across two dozen counties in deciduous forests. William S. Brown, a vertebrate zoologist, has studied their life history and ecology for over 40 years. His research, one of the longest continuous capture-recapture studies of rattlesnakes in the wild, focuses on the southeastern Adirondack Mountains. It provides new insights into their longevity, reproduction, and population dynamics.  

In his talk, Brown will share valuable information for enthusiasts, naturalists, and homeowners in the rattlesnake range, covering topics like their distribution, life history, behavior, diet, seasonal movements, what to do if you encounter a snake, and examples of bad things (and some good things) that have happened to Timber Rattlesnakes. 

Brown is a Research Associate at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Darrin Fresh Water Institute. He holds degrees from Arizona State University and the University of Utah. He was an Associate Professor of Biology (now emeritus) at Skidmore College (1974–1997) and lectured at SUNY Albany (1997-2017). Brown has been President of the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles (1990) and consults on wildlife impact assessments. He publishes in periodicals like National Geographic and peer-reviewed journals and leads annual meetings on rattlesnake conservation. He has received multiple awards for his conservation work.  

This event is co-sponsored by SAAS and the Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter of the Adirondack Mountain Club.