Rare Albino Timber Rattlesnake has Unusually Pink and White Coloration — Pennsylvania

A rare albino timber rattlesnake with remarkable pink and white coloring was recently spotted in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvanian nature lover John McCombie called the encounter an epic moment that might even be recorded in history books

Albino Timber Rattlesnake

On a Sunday afternoon, McCombie was initially observing an ordinary adult timber rattlesnake when the attractive juvenile snake drew his attention. According to him, it was probably born between the end of August and the middle of September of last year based on its size, making it less than a year old.

The albino timber rattlesnake snakelet was barely 12 to 15 inches long, according to McCombie. McCombie was unable to obtain an accurate measurement because it stayed coiled up the entire time. He kept an eye on this snake for more than an hour, but it barely moved.

Unusually Pink and White

A genetic abnormality that decreases the body's capacity to manufacture melanin-the biological pigment present in skin, scales, eyes, and hair-leads to the snake's distinctive pink and white coloring. Without this pigmentation, blood vessels can frequently be seen peeping through the skin and scales, giving some areas-especially the eyes-a pink or crimson hue. The images taken by McCombie demonstrate this.

According to McCombie, the most intriguing feature is the eyes' bulging appearance and their spherical pupils.

Being more susceptible to predators, albinism is particularly uncommon in the wild. For instance, a bright white snake stands out more than one that is disguised with dark brown and black. Low melanin levels can also affect a creature's eyes, making it less able to hunt.

An albino snake is not necessarily solid white, unlike other albino mammals that are often very pale with white hair, according to All Things Nature. Due to the wide range of hues seen in snakes, albinism can result in the loss of just one pigment, leaving the albino snake with colors like cream, yellow, or light brown.

Timber Rattlesnakes

The eastern half of the United States is home to timber rattlesnakes. According to the Smithsonian National Zoo, the species can reach a height of 7 feet and is at home in a variety of settings, including highland forests, marshes and floodplains, and agricultural areas.

These cold-blooded reptiles hibernate underground in burrows during the coldest months of the year to survive, emerging in the early spring.

According to McCombie, this year's snake season has been very active in Pennsylvania. The snakes, he claimed, have been particularly active earlier than usual, but this is just because the area has recently been experiencing early, warmer spring temperatures.

Despite the rarity of timber rattlesnake bites, all bites should be handled as a medical emergency because of the venom's tremendous potency.

Experts suggest keeping a safe distance from snakes because they rarely bite people in the wild unless they feel threatened. On the other hand, if a homeowner discovers a snake in their home, it is preferable to call a snake or wildlife expert, Newsweek reports.