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Before the bald eagle soared onto official seals, another creature had already coiled its way around the American imagination. It didn’t fly. It rattled.
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, we’re taking time to reflect on the symbols that shaped this country. The timber rattlesnake is an American icon. Though often feared, this shy and secretive native species once stood for unity, vigilance, and the fight for liberty. Its warning rattle became a call to resist tyranny. Its image is a powerful emblem of America’s rebellious spirit.
And yet, like so many of our native wildlife species, the timber rattlesnake has also faced persecution and misunderstanding. It’s time we got reacquainted with one of our nation’s original emblems.
A Symbol Born in Rebellion
The timber rattlesnake’s legacy as a political symbol began in the mid-1700s, before the Revolutionary War and long before “Dont Tread on Me� became a bumper sticker on your neighbor’s car.
In 1754, Benjamin Franklin published a cartoon in his Pennsylvania Gazette , each labeled with a colony, alongside the caption “Join, or Die.� It was the first political cartoon published in an American newspaper. Though meant to encourage colonial unity during the French and Indian War, the rattlesnake would go on to become a symbol that would represent something much larger.
By the time of the Revolutionary War, the rattlesnake had become a powerful emblem of American defiance against the British. It showed up on drums, military buttons, and battle flags, including the now-famous Gadsden Flag, designed in 1775. With its bold yellow background, coiled timber rattler, and text that says “Dont Tread on Me,� (with no apostrophe) the flag sent a clear message. It was named for Christopher Gadsden, a South Carolina delegate to the Continental Congress and a brigadier general in the Continental Army, who introduced the design during the early days of the Revolution.
To Franklin and other early patriots, the timber rattlesnake was a perfect metaphor for the colonies and the colonists. This was their land, and they were peaceful when left alone. Disturb them or make them angry and they can be dangerous and even deadly. that the rattlesnake “never begins an attack, nor, when once engaged, ever surrenders.� He praised the snake for its “true courage� and “magnanimity.�
From Battlefield to Banner
During the Revolutionary War, rattlesnake flags were used by the Continental Marines, various militias, and regiments from many of the colonies. The , where it was used by both Union and Confederate forces at different times, always adapted to reflect themes of resistance and vigilance.
Over time, other national symbols rose in prominence like the bald eagle, but the rattlesnake was timeless. Its image continued to be used by political movements, military units, and Americans who saw in it a warning that freedom must be defended.
A Real American Species
While the symbol lived on, the actual timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) faced increasing threats. This secretive serpent is found throughout the eastern U.S., from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River Valley. It’s a venomous pit viper that prefers rocky outcrops, forests, and rugged terrain. It was once widespread, but it has disappeared from parts of its historic range due to things like habitat loss and fragmentation, road mortality, persecution by humans, and .
Timber rattlesnakes are slow to mature and reproduce infrequently, making their populations especially vulnerable to disturbance. Some states now list them as threatened or endangered, and sightings are increasingly rare in places where they once thrived.
Why They Matter
Despite their reputation, timber rattlesnakes are non-aggressive and play a vital role in keeping ecosystems healthy. These snakes help control rodent populations thereby reducing the spread of disease and damage to crops. They’re a top predator in many forest ecosystems and serve as an indicator of environmental health.
And here’s the part that Ben Franklin appreciated: They’d rather warn you than strike. That signature rattle is a built-in conflict avoidance system. Timber rattlesnakes want nothing to do with humans unless they feel threatened, or they're stepped on.
Their calm, cryptic nature is what made them such an enduring symbol in early American history. They are a creature that doesn’t start fights, but they also don’t back down either.
Rock, Rattle, and Roll for America 250
As we honor , it’s worth remembering that our nation’s most enduring symbols come from nature and wildlife. They remind us not only of what we’ve fought for, but of what we still have to protect.
The timber rattlesnake was there at the founding. It’s woven into our history, our flags, and our ideals. It’s not just symbolic. These snakes are real and alive and still need our care.
The next time you see a rattlesnake, , consider it a reminder. A reminder of where we came from and are a reminder that American symbols don’t always soar. Sometimes, they rattle.
