Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
August 26, 1822
Primary Source Reference:
Peale Museum Accessions Book, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, p. 120
Additional Source Text:
"Caught on the 24th of this Month on the Blue Mountain near Stroudsburgh [Pa.] by Mr. Isa[i]ah Lukens and presented by him."
Notes:
Two species of rattlenakes are known in Pennsylvania, the Eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) and the timber rattlesnake, pictured here.
Isaiah Lukens (1779-1846), Philadelphia clockmaker, designer of tools and scientific instruments, and co-founder of Philadelphia's Franklin Institute, was closely associated with Charles Willson Peale, who painted his portrait in 1816. (Selected Papers, 4: 138n)
Specimen Type:
Live (presumably eventually taxidermied/preserved)
Current Common Name:
Timber rattlesnake
Current Scientific Name
Crotalus horridus
