One of the most misunderstood creatures in this country is crotalus, a genus of venomous pit vipers most people simply call rattlesnakes. Crotalus horridus, also known as the timber rattlesnake or canebrake snake, epitomizes the deeply ambivalent relationship Americans have with this animal, which Benjamin Franklin considered a symbol of our nascent country-and which remains a symbol of freedom and defiance of unjust government-yet has been hunted to extinction or near-extinction throughout New England.

The fear and loathing with which most Americans view rattlesnakes is illustrated most vividly by events like the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup, wherein thousands of rattlesnakes are captured, killed, and skinned-often in gruesome ways-as a means of promoting local tourism. This deep revulsion is exhibited towards an animal that in normal circumstances does not threaten or harm humans, who are rarely-if ever-killed when an encounter does occur. It should be noted that some of these fatalities include people who wantonly abuse snakes.

With this sort of deep misunderstanding and distrust, Ted Levin’s insightful book, America’s Snake: The Rise And Fall Of The Timber Rattlesnake, is such a welcome resource. It not only debunks some common misconceptions about this increasingly threatened species, it explores why timber rattlesnakes were able to inhabit Maine, Long Island, and even New York City, although you’ll no longer find any dens-or rattlesnakes-in these places. One of the proximate causes of the rattlesnake’s decline in the Northeast, and a key part of the puzzle Levin hopes to unlock in his book, is Ophidiomyces ophiodilcola, a fungus which can prove fatal if a snake is not rehabilitated.

Although Ophidiomyces is the immediate villain, as Levin’s story unfolds the reader realizes that the greatest threat to the survival of the timber rattlesnake in the northeast is the increasing encroachment of humans upon this species’ habitat. The disruption of the mating process through development-particularly roads which cut between snake dens-the rapacious poaching, especially of gravid females, and general indifference of society towards the welfare of this fascinating animal all imperil its continued survival in this region.

To get a better idea of what this book is about, and learn why you should be concerned about its future, I would recommend watching this video of a talk delivered by Ted Levin last year. It might give you a new perspective on a quintessentially American reptile.

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This past weekend we were lucky enough to celebrate the first anniversary of American Rattlesnake with several friends and allies in New York City. And although we realize that many of this website’s most steadfast followers come from the Big Apple, we also recognize the importance of those who live in other parts of the country. Whether it be the nation’s capital, Washington D.C., the birthplace of our Constitution, Philadelphia, or ground zero in the war to reassert control over our borders, the great state of Arizona; we at American Rattlesnake are gratified by the continued support we’ve received from patriotic, concerned citizens throughout the nation. And believe it or not, we even have fans overseas, many of whom live in countries beset by the same problems of open borders policies and derelict politicians which we are confronting in the United States. 

Although we have had submissions from several different sources over the past year-I’d like to single out for thanks our own Marion Dreyfus for her thoughtful commentary-most of the writing on a day-to-day basis is done by yours truly. That’s why I’m inviting this website’s devoted, intelligent, resourceful readership to contribute their own stories, ideas, and suggestions to AR. This movement is a collaborative effort, requiring the skills, dedication, time and effort of millions of Americans throughout the country, which is why am asking you to give us your feedback. Issues that you’d like to see highlighted, stories you’d like to see us cover, suggestions for improving the website; these are all ways that you can help make American Rattlesnake even more efficacious in its second year of operation.

We’d also like to see stories from our readers. We have published and will publish in the future well-written, topical essays and columns written by readers, as well as important news stories highlighting issues pertaining to border security, immigration enforcement, and other subjects that we’ve tried to explore in a more honest, analytical manner at American Rattlesnake. One of the benefits of having a website like this is that it reaches people throughout the country, and even abroad. For those photo and video bloggers out there who have compelling footage or pictures of events that have taken place in your city or town, feel free to pass them along. One of the most remarkable aspects of the citizen activism that has characterized the Tea Party is the photo journalism individual activists have produced, some of it leading to dramatic changes in the political realm. That’s something I’d like to emulate here, and with your help it will become a reality in the weeks and months ahead.

In closing, if  you have verified news tips, suggestions, praise, critiques, or stories, feel free to share them with the editor-in-chief and/or publisher, whom you can contact here. You can read our submissions policy here. At the present moment we do not have sufficient funds to pay contributors, but the same was true of Andrew Breitbart when he began Big Hollywood. And though I hesitate to compare myself with the the creator of the multi-media Breitbart empire, I will emphasize that great endeavors often begin with small steps. If your submission is published it will be read by thousands of individuals every month, most of whom share the same concern over the direction in which this country is headed, particularly with respect to its borders, language, and culture. In the end, we share the same goals. Namely, to educate, inform and exhort the public to action that will make our communities better places in which to live.