05/31/2026
โ ๏ธ Warning! Graphic & intimate content ๐
I was NOT expecting to see mating rattlesnakes on my hike this morning ๐
๐ซฃ
Hi Iโm Kara, also (& involuntarily) known as the snake whisperer. And itโs snake season in Colorado!
Snakes are vital for a healthy ecosystem. I personally love seeing them. But itโs important to know what to do if you run into a venomous nope rope. ๐ โฌ๏ธ
๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ญ๐ข๐ฉ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ง ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ข๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ง๐๐ค๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ข๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ (๐ฌ๐๐ฏ๐ ๐จ๐ซ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ซ):
๐ Did you know rattlesnakes donโt prefer hot weather? Temps over 85โขf become too hot for them to hunt. And temps below 40โขf are too cold.
One easy way to avoid snakesโฆ go when itโs too hot or cold for them to be out.
๐ In Colorado we have 3 types of rattlesnake: prairie, midget faded and western massasauga.
In the front range weโre most likely to run into the prairie rattlesnake. This is a good thing, because prairie rattlers are some of the most docile.
๐ Rattlers love to bask near trails in warmer months. If you see one, give them space.
Theyโll rattle really loudly as you get near. Donโt wear headphones so you can hear them. If you hear a rattle, pause, figure out where itโs coming from... then go far around that area.
Remember the snake wants nothing to do with you. It will only strike if it feels threatened or is surprised.
๐ Bring hiking poles to alleviate the element of surprise. Snakes can feel the pole vibrations through the ground, so they will know youโre coming. You WANT them to be aware of you.
๐ If youโre bitten, try to remain calm. You need to get yourself to a hospital with anti-venom.
Either call an ambulance or if youโre capable, drive yourself to a hospital. Do not panic. Death from snake bite is extremely rare.
Any more questions please lmk! Have you ever seen a rattlesnake? ๐
Colorado Wildlif
