Colorado is a popular destination for tourists who want to see more than simply the state’s charming small towns, the breathtaking Rocky Mountains, or the neon lights of Denver. Some frightening serpents find it rather alluring as well.
Three different kinds of rattlesnakes may be found in Centennial State: the Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus), the Midget Faded Rattlesnake (Crotalus concolor), and the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis).
All of them are poisonous, so if you come across one while out in nature, proceed with caution.
Greater Fort Collins
Due to some slick, reptile denizens, the rocky hills surrounding Fort Collins are well-known. A rattlesnake rookery, or den, outside of town is home to hundreds of snakes, according to researchers. In 2024, a live video that revealed the interior of the nest made this a big story.
Prairie Rattlesnakes, which can be found in semi-desert shrubland, grassland, sandhills, and forest environments up to 9,500 feet in elevation, find the area surrounding Fort Collins to be a good habitat.
North Table Mountain Park
Research on rattlesnakes is frequently conducted in Jefferson County’s North Table Mountain Park.
Be cautious when exploring the park’s 15-mile network of hiking trails and rock climbing locations because prairie rattlesnakes can be found all over it.
In the spring and summer, when they come out of hibernation, rattlesnakes are frequently spotted close to the pathways.
Near the town of Golden, the park spans about 2,000 acres and is well-known for its breathtaking views of North Table Mountain and South Table Mountain, which were both created by lava flows some 60 million years ago.
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Rio Grande River
The Rio Grande River flows east and south throughout Colorado, beginning in the San Juan Mountains in the south. It travels through a number of Prairie Rattlesnake habitats, such as drainage beds, grasslands, and rocky hillsides.
The Rio Grande National Forest, the Alamosa Wildlife Refuge, and the Alamosa Riparian Park are well-known recreational destinations along the Rio Grande River in Colorado.
When exploring the outdoors in or close to those regions, watch where you walk and keep in mind that snakes prefer to burrow in isolated locations like leaf litter, rock piles, or wood piles.
Never reach into a hole or crevice without first examining what’s within!
Garden of the Gods
Known as “the gateway to the Rockies,” Garden of the Gods Park is a National Natural Landmark located outside of Colorado Springs.
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This lovely 480-acre park offers vistas of the neighboring snow-capped Pike’s Peak as well as breathtaking sandstone formations.
As long as you watch out for rattlesnakes, there are many ways to enjoy this popular destination for hikers, bikers, and climbers.
Rangers advise park visitors to be alert on the trails and report any sightings of rattlesnakes because of reports of bites.
Remain composed, avoid using a tourniquet since this may trap the venom in the wound, and get medical help right once if you are bitten.
Ute Valley
There are several appealing habitats for Prairie Rattlesnakes in the Ute Valley’s beautiful terrain.
Hikers can follow a variety of paths in Ute Valley Park, including the appropriately called Rattlesnake Ridge, where it is usual to spot snakes relaxing on the trails throughout the summer.
This loop is a strenuous climb that leads to a narrow, rocky trail with expansive views of Black Forest, Pikes Peak, and Pinon Valley. The park is home to coyotes, deer, and black bears in addition to rattlesnakes.
Pets must always be kept on leashes and park visitors must stay on designated trails.
How to Be Safe Around Snakes
Snakes are the subject of many myths, therefore it’s critical to distinguish fact from fiction. Snakes rarely bite humans, despite their menacing appearance.
By consuming the pests that devastate crops and giving birds and other predators higher up the food chain a food source, they also help our ecosystems.
The rattle at the end of their tail and their triangular head make rattlesnakes easy to see. Give it space and proceed cautiously around it if you spot one. Freeze if you hear the snake’s distinctive rattle.
You can unintentionally approach it if you don’t know where it is. Wear leather boots and long pants when trekking, and keep all pets on leashes.
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