Rattlesnake spotted near Bear Hole Reservoir in West Springfield

after a rare timber rattlesnake was recently found near bearhole Reservoir in West Springfield 22 News spoke with a wildlife expert on how to coexist peacefully with these reptiles these snakes are considered an endangered species under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act and it is illegal to harm or kill timber rattlesnakes but they will unusually or rather usually avoid humans if left alone and may even create a rattling sound to warn potential threats experts say it's important to stay on designated Trails keep pets on leashes while hiking and never attempt to handle or disturb these snakes everyone kind of just has this innate fear of them especially when it comes to a venomous species um they do not want anything to do with us they're not bloodthirsty Killers they're not doing wrong they have their place in the ecosystem just like everything else does if you do come across them generally just keep your distance you know give them their their space and and there should be no no negative impacts Timber rattles snakes are active both day and night it's not until Autumn that they return to their underground dens and spend approximately 6 months in active