There are 46 snake species in New Mexico, and they live in marshes, grasslands, woods, and desert floors. These extinct reptiles had several special benefits from bodies of water, integrating the greatest aspects of both worlds.
There are abundant populations of both venomous and non-venomous snakes in these regions. A list of the few things to consider before making travel plans to The Land of Enchantment is provided below.
Conchas Lake
This 9,600-acre area is home to a wide variety of species, including quail, coyotes, deer, and hawks.
At Conchas Lake, large bullsnakes, coachwhips, and gopher snakes frequently hunt because they are all highly adapted to various conditions and skilled in aquatic settings.
In and around the lake, people can also see and hear venomous rattlesnakes, including the western diamondback and prairie rattlesnakes.
They inject their victims with venom to subdue them.
Visitors must always be on the lookout for dangers when near grassy areas and the shoreline since, despite their desire to avoid conflict, these snakes are quite aggressive due to their predatory nature.
Cochiti Lake
The roughly 11,000-acre lake is popular with both locals and visitors who want to go fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and having picnics. It also has a robust snake population.
In addition to using the lakeside access sites for hydration, a variety of pests consume the sporadic flora, making these herbivores extremely susceptible to predatory snakes.
The dominant predator, the western diamondback rattlesnake, has comparatively unrestricted access to prey, including rodents, in the vicinity of the lake. Its venom is extremely lethal.
These areas are also home to non-venomous threats like the checkered garter snake (Thamnophis marcianus), ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus), glossy snake (Arizona elegans), coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum), western garter snake (Thamnophis elegans), and bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer).
Even though these snake bites are not pregnant, it is still quite wise to remain alert near grassy areas and coastlines.
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Elephant Butte Lake
Elephant Butte Reservoir, sometimes called Elephant Butte Lake, is situated in the southern portion of the Rio Grande and is the largest body of water in New Mexico.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation finished it in 1916, and at 36,500 acres, it ranks as the 84th largest artificial lake in the United States.
The Mojave rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus), prairie rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis), and western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) thrive in these poisonous and predatory environments.
The kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula), bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi), western ribbon snake (Thamnophis proximus), and gopher snake (Pituophis catenifer) are among the non-venomous hazards in addition to this venomous type.
Elephant Butte Lake’s large area, conducive environment, and convenient access to prey are all factors that contribute to the success of the snake population.
At any one time of year, the number of snakes is thought to range from several hundred to thousands.
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Heron Lake
Heron Lake is part of a wider network that connects the Rio Chima and Colorado’s San Juan River, and it is situated close to the northern border of the State.
There is intense competition for prey, which consists of rodents such as mice, rats, voles, and chipmunks. Heron Lake is not an exception to the fact that the prairie rattlesnake is still an apex predator in New Mexico.
Because the ominous rattle can be heard in ambush and pursuit of the next prey, more vigilance must be exercised around shorelines.
Although largely terrestrial, this extremely venomous danger is known to migrate or escape from a threat by using bodies of water.
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The regions around Heron Lake are also home to less dangerous snake species, including the bullsnake, smooth green snake (Opheodrys vernalis), striped whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus), and western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus).
But typically speaking, these snakes only become dangerous when provoked or threatened.
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