Where are Prairie rattlesnakes found in Colorado?

Habitat In Colorado this species lives in plains grassland, sandhills, semidesert shrubland, riparian zones, piñon-juniper woodland, and montane woodland habitats up to 9,500 ft in elevation. Activity Most activity takes place April – September.

Does Colorado have diamondback rattlesnake?

Although you may hear people call all types of rattlesnakes in Colorado “Diamondbacks”, there are no Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes in Colorado. There is one type of snake, the Bull Snake, that is often confused for a rattlesnake.

Where do massasauga rattlesnakes live?

The eastern massasauga is a small, thick-bodied rattlesnake that lives in shallow wetlands and adjacent uplands in portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ontario.

How do you identify a massasauga rattlesnake?

Adult massasaugas are gray or light brown with large, light-edged chocolate brown blotches on the back and smaller blotches on the sides. Young snakes have the same markings, but are more vividly colored. Other snakes that look similar include the fox snake, milk snake and hognose snake.

What time of day are rattlesnakes most active in Colorado?

Mornings and evenings are common times to see rattlesnakes out of their dens since temperatures are cooler. In fall, you might see another flurry of activity as the rattlesnakes seek a warm place to hibernate for the winter.

Are there rattlesnakes in the Rocky Mountains?

There is only one poisonous snake in the Rocky Mountains – the Western Rattlesnake. The western rattlesnake is the only poisonous snake in the Rocky Mountains. The Western Rattlesnake lives mainly below 8,000 feet in elevation. I have tended to come across these snakes more often in the spring.

How many massasauga rattlesnakes are left?

We have information indicating that 267 of the historical populations still exist today. Most of those populations are in Michigan and Ontario, Canada.

Do rattlesnakes come out at night?

Depending on weather and threatening conditions such wildfires; rattlesnakes may roam at any time of the day or night. If walking at night, be sure to use a flashlight. barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. When hiking, stick to well-used trails if all possible.

What happens if you get bit by a Massasauga rattlesnake?

Local injury, pain or swelling is concerning for envenomation after a rattlesnake bite. Monitoring for coagulopathies is required after massasauga rattlesnake bites. Antivenom is the first-line treatment for envenomation. Additional doses of antivenom may be needed; thus, close monitoring is required.

Are there rattlesnakes in the mountains of Colorado?

The massasauga rattlesnake is found in the sandy terrain of southeastern Colorado. Photo by Stephen Mackessy. Even though only three of our native snakes are venomous, all snakes have teeth and know how to use them. Regardless of the species, it’s a good idea never to handle any snake.

Are there any venomous snakes in Colorado?

Colorado is home to three venomous snakes: the western massasauga rattlesnake, the midget faded rattlesnake and the prairie rattlesnake. Learning from snakes The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History plays an important role in the study of snakes in Colorado with over 66,000 specimens of reptile and amphibians in its collections.

Where are the garter snakes found in Colorado?

They are found in the northeast part of the state with a range that spills into the Fort Collins and Denver metropolitan areas. In these metropolitan areas they share space with the Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans), the most common of the state’s gartersnakes.

Where do prairie ringneck snakes live in Colorado?

Found under surface cover in canyon bottoms or riparian habitat in southeastern Colorado, prairie ringnecks are identified by slate colored scales with an orange ring around the neck, and bellies vibrantly colored in red, yellow and orange. Ringnecks survive on a diet of earthworms, small frogs and lizards, and insects.