Watch: DNR staff find den of timber rattlesnakes in Minnesota

Watch: DNR staff find den of timber rattlesnakes in Minnesota originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

DNR staff made a rare discovery in Minnesota recently: a den of timber rattlesnakes.

The collection of snakes, which are considered a threatened species, was found by nongame biologists in southeastern Minnesota's Driftless area, which is the only place in Minnesota you'll find the reptiles.

While such a find may be cause of alarm for some, the DNR says that the snakes, while venomous, are "generally docile."

"Their first reaction when faced with a threat is to flee or hide. If that is not an option, they will rattle their tail as a warning to back off, as seen in this video. Bites are exceptionally rare," the DNR said.

"There are many snakes that mimic rattlesnakes in Minnesota, but don’t be fooled. Only the timber rattlesnake is venomous, the rest are bluffing and hoping you think they are more dangerous than they are.

"If you encounter a timber rattlesnake, simply leave it alone and count yourself lucky. They are a rare sight!" it adds.

The timber rattlesnake is considered threatened mainly due to habitat loss, with the DNR in the process of developing a conservation plan for the species, and survey bluff sites to get a better idea of total numbers.

If you see one, you can report the sighting here.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 7, 2025, where it first appeared.