PRINTER'S NO.  1054

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

SENATE BILL

 

No.

966

Session of

2011

  

  

INTRODUCED BY YAW, ALLOWAY, BREWSTER, DINNIMAN, FONTANA, HUGHES AND SOLOBAY, APRIL 13, 2011

  

  

REFERRED TO STATE GOVERNMENT, APRIL 13, 2011  

  

  

  

AN ACT

  

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Selecting, designating and adopting the timber rattlesnake as

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the official reptile of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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WHEREAS, The timber rattlesnake is one of three venomous

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snakes that occur in Pennsylvania; and

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WHEREAS, The timber rattlesnake lives primarily in

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mountainous areas of the State, above 1,800 feet in elevation;

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and

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WHEREAS, The scientific name for the timber rattlesnake is

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Crotalus horridus; and

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WHEREAS, Crotalus horridus ranges from southern New Hampshire

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to northern Florida and from New Jersey as far west as eastern

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Texas and Minnesota; and

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WHEREAS, The timber rattlesnake can be found in numerous

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counties in this Commonwealth, primarily in the central and

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northeastern regions of the State; and

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WHEREAS, The timber rattlesnake is currently vulnerable to a

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decline in population due to a number of factors, including

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habitat loss; and

 


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WHEREAS, The timber rattlesnake is legally protected in

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Pennsylvania and is subject to hunting and possession

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regulations; and

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WHEREAS, The timber rattlesnake is large in length, up to 74

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inches, and stout-bodied, and its coloring consists of brown or

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black bands on bright yellow to black body coloration; and

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WHEREAS, The timber rattlesnake is a reptile that inspires

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both fear and fascination among many Pennsylvanians.

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The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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hereby enacts as follows:

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Section 1.  Designation of the official reptile of the

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Commonwealth.

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The timber rattlesnake or Crotalus horridus is selected,

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designated and adopted as the official reptile of the

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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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Section 2.  Effective date.

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This act shall take effect immediately.

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