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This is what a timber rattler looks like. I was standing on the back deck drinking coffee a few weeks ago and spotted him trying to crawl under my deck. I have found them on my front door mat.
So this is in southern tier of NYS. The snake was still small, maybe 10" long. I know we can have Rattlers just wasn't sure if this could be one. The full snake pic shows something on the tip of the tail (could be left over skin/shedding?).
Looks like a Midland brown snake, genus Storeria, also known as Dekay snake. The way it is flattened out there is a defense mechanism used by many snake species. Totally harmless.
T.D. - ^^^^ I knew what your point was ……………. I was just imagining explaining to a greenhorn one way to ID if it's a rattler. " You just roll him over and check his poop chute area and if the scales go this way ……………. " Can you just see the look you'd get ??
The Root River Valley in S E Mn has quite a few timber rattlers. This is their general coloration. They can be found sunning themselves on the bike path regularly. The two biggest snakes in these pictures were over 6’ long!