This past weekend a hiker was bitten by a Prairie Rattlesnake and died from resulting complications:
http://kdvr.com/2017/10/07/hiker-dies-hours-after-a-rattlesnake-bit-him-in-mt-galbraith-park/.

Adaptation Environmental staff was contacted by our local Fox-affiliate to answer questions about rattlesnake safety on trails. Jefferson County Open Space rangers assisted with this interview as part of our ongoing efforts to help everyone be safe while hiking in rattlesnake habitats.

It’s very sad to hear of this man’s passing, and as a result of a wildlife species we work with to understand better. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. Losing anyone is tough, but so much more when happening suddenly. While our project at North Table Mountain encompasses a biological study, our focus is on sharing information with everyone so they can be safe around this species which provides an important ecosystem service.

A reminder about to do if you’re bitten by a rattlesnake:

• Attempt to remain calm and avoid activities that may increase your heartrate.
• Call 911
• Remove jewelry and/ or any other potentially constricting item.
• Find more information here: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/snakebite.html

We’ve heard from multiple people about their surprise that Prairie Rattlesnakes continue to be active this time of year. Well, we expect to be tracking into November. This is based on studies near the Denver-metro in Aurora, Boulder, and Lyons where we directly observed rattlesnake activity late into the season. In fact, on warm winter days it’s not impossible to observe a Prairie Rattlesnake basking to take in some warmth. (Rattlesnake hibernation is more of a dormancy, or period of inactivity, rather than a deep sleep like some other species of wildlife.)
   
So, here we are following a beautiful weekend of sun in the 70’s with snow on Monday…we must live in Colorado, huh?
What does this mean for snakes? Prairie Rattlesnakes and other snakes will continue to be active this fall. Inclement weather may keep them in a burrow, but some snakes may still be trying to eat and digest before winter settles in. Eating and digesting require warmth for our snake species. Think about our metabolism for a minute. We eat to keep our internal “fire” going by burning calories. Burning calories result in energy for us to go about our lives, including finding our next meal. However, snakes do NOT have an internal fire like us and their activity (e.g. eating and digesting) depends on the temperature around them. If the surrounding temperatures drop, only essential functions continue to operate for snakes, such as heartbeat and respiration. (Yes, snakes have a heart…but only have one functioning lung: http://www.visualdictionaryonline.com/animal-kingdom/reptiles/snake/anatomy-venomous-snake.php.)
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When the temperature rises, other functions like digesting become active. This time of year as it cools snakes that choose to feed take a risk. Eating on a warmer day is fine unless temperatures are too cool to digest the following days…in snakes it’s often the case that they need several warm days to digest a meal. If temperatures are not adequate for digestion, then the meal could rot inside of the snake and kill it! As it warms back up this week, many snakes will be soaking up whatever warmth they can get to prepare their bodies for a winter slow-down.
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Not too many weeks left for rattlesnake season…stay safe out there! 

By: Ryan Borgmann

​It's 97 degrees Fahrenheit and we have been pacing back and forth through a field on the top of North Table Mountain for about an hour and a half. The only sound, other than our breathing, is the constant static coming from the radio receiver. We are about to give up, when we suddenly hear a faint "bloop" from the receiver. We all pause and hold our breath, there it goes again! "Bloop" As we start walking in the direction of the "bloop" it gets louder and louder. Once we locate the general area that the sound is coming from, we start searching the ground. And there, a few feet in front of us is what we were looking for! A beautiful Prairie Rattlesnake, coiled up, using its camouflage to blend in with the grass. We than record the GPS information, take some photographs and move on to find the next snake.

​The "Bloop" is 1 of 20 radio transmitters that have been implanted in Prairie Rattlesnake that inhabit North Table Mountain. I am a volunteer, and each week I have the honor of helping Adaptation Environmental Services track these amazing creatures. I have had a passion for Reptiles and Amphibians all my life and grew up catching snakes and frogs, as well as keeping many as pets. But having a purpose for finding these rattlesnakes is incredibly rewarding. Being able to help track the movements of the snakes across the mountain, in order to help keep both the rattlesnakes and the park visitors safe is extremely satisfying.

​Along with tracking the Rattlesnakes, I also get to interact with the park visitors and help educate them on the importance of rattlesnakes. Not all visitors are interested, and some think what we are doing is a waste of time and resources. But when you start talking to someone who is genuinely interested and you can help them see how incredible these animals are, it is just as exciting as tracking the snakes.

​Not only do I get to help educate, but I am also being educated. Being out in the field with the knowledgeable people of Adaptation is an experience in of itself. Rattlesnakes are the main focus but not the only item discussed. I have also learned about the predators and prey of Rattlesnake, other wildlife that shares this habitat, as well as the local plant life.

​It has been an honor to be a part of this fantastic project. My advice, if there is an opportunity to volunteer with a project that you are passionate about, do it. Don't hesitate. Jump in, get involved. The friends you will create and the experiences you will have will change your life! I cannot thank Adaptation Environmental Services enough for letting me be apart of this wonderful project!

We appreciate everyone following the Rattler Tattler to date! Thanks for contacting us directly with your questions too. We were very excited to me those of you who were able to join us at Jefferson County Open Space’s Land Stewardship presentation on August 16th!
Here’s the latest:

• We found 3 maternity dens…which are places (i.e. rocks) where females remained for weeks or more to keep warm before giving live-birth to babies
  • One snake remained near one rock near the Golden Cliffs trail for about 2 months prior to giving birth…and has since moved-on, but often times  close to trails
  • 2 snakes (with transmitters and one more without a transmitter) were at one rock near W. 43rd for nearly 6 weeks before giving birth.  At least one baby remained in this area when last visited, but moms have moved-on.
  • 1 other snake in near W. 43rd just gave birth very recently. (We first saw babies at this location last Sunday.) We expect mom to move on soon, but was still with the babies yesterday. 

In the coming weeks we are expecting many rattlesnakes to be on the move to start heading towards their wintering (or hibernation) dens. What does this mean for you? As the temperature drops at night, more and more snakes will become active during the day, but still avoiding activity at really hot times. 

How to stay safe:

• Check carefully under rocks before sitting on or next to them, and be mindful of where you rest your gear.
• Watch along the sides of trails, and particularly if your dog is sniffing alongside them, as snakes can hide under rocks, in grass clumps, and in or under shrubs and other vegetation. 
• If you’re bitten, try to remain as calm as possible. Call 911 immediately and remove all jewelry. Follow these safety tips here from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/snakebite.html

Updated Map

By Bryon Shipley
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I often wonder if our rattlesnakes will soon grow tired of seeing/smelling us snake signal trackers as we lean into their personal space to record their current locations on the mountain week after week.  On the other hand, we are always excited to see what our snake friends are up to from week to week, carefully checking their health status visually, admiring their coloration, and being amazed at how well their camouflage works.  It is remarkable that despite our frequent visitations, the rattlesnakes are seemingly very tolerant, hardly reacting to our presence, even when we find them cruising through tall grass on their way to keeping whatever appointment they have for the day.  The big news is that we discovered new babies with female number 9, who is located at the Golden Cliffs.  We could not count the number of babies, but it was fantastic to see the new generation about to make their mark on the planet!  And they were right on time, as we have noticed with other rattlesnake populations, mid-August being the preferred beginning of the birthing time. We are hoping that a few of our other females will be birthing very soon as well.  Coincidentally, the boy snakes are making their pitch to find that alluring female somewhere out in the grassland in hopes of creating more babies---it’s a busy time of year!  Some studies indicate that perhaps only 50-55% of babies survive their first hibernation, and  females in some populations don’t breed until their 3rd year, and then only every other year or every two years.  It’s a real challenge keeping up with nature’s demands.

Can you see mom and babies in this photo? Hint: look at bottom edge of rock formation!
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Recently, it’s been perplexing tracking these rattlesnakes, as some transmitter signals disappear for a time and others resurface.  It’s possible some snakes that we haven’t found in a long time have met their destiny with a predator, which includes hawks, owls, ravens, badgers, coyotes, racer snakes, and milksnakes, but we never know for sure what to expect. For example, if snakes go into a shedding ​cycle, they could be underground for 10 days until they shed their skin; places where transmitter signals don’t always surface.  Similarly, after a snake has a meal, he might decide to sit tight and digest the meal underground for quite a while (rattlesnakes are amazing efficient digesters and can subsist on 2-3 meals a year if necessary). All this means is that snake signals are not easy to detect at certain times. 
Most of the snake group east of the quarry are adhering to a tight home range, while the snake group at the middle of the mountain top is somewhat scattered, one big male apparently enjoying the cool, humid confines of burrows that prairie dogs provide. In another location on the south side of the mountain, there is quite a neighborhood of sociable rattlesnakes, mostly females that are sharing a particular rock crack with each other, occasionally trading off with another individual from a different nearby neighborhood.  This particular rock must be special for these snakes, probably providing great security from predators and protection from excessive heat, but also supplying just the right temperature opportunities for developing babies (rattlesnakes give birth to live young) without too much exposure to predators.  This rock seems special for socializing and aggregating, a behavior well-studied in Timber rattlesnakes in the northeast United States, but not so much with Prairie rattlesnakes.
Speaking of sociable snakes, we have discovered several instances where different species of snakes have been utilizing the protection of certain rock cavities.  The species using the same rocks have been identified by the shed skins they left behind and include rattlesnakes, bullsnakes, and racer snakes.  Probably, they were using these retreats in the rocks at different times, but also possibly at the same time.  It’s amazing to find intriguing evidence of animal associations when it is commonly thought that rattlesnakes would never share living space with other snakes!  Ain’t nature grand?

“Ewww!  Gross!  Keep that thing away from me!”  Often are the first exclamations I hear as my bullsnake is introduced to an audience at one of my interpretive programs.  However, there are many, “He’s cute…What a beautiful animal…Never seen one this close.”  A genuine inquisitiveness builds, especially from the kids.  Snakes have a certain “X factor”.  Reviled or tolerated, it sure is an animal that fires up public curiosity.  As a Jefferson County Open Space interpretive educator, there have been many questions asked of me about snakes, particularly rattlesnakes.  So naturally, I was eager to participate in some of the prairie rattlesnake surveys taking place this year at North Table Mountain Open Space Park.  The survey is being conducted by Adaptation Environmental Services and their members were so helpful.  I am very grateful for their knowledge…there is so much more to know!  Who wouldn’t want to learn more about a legendary creature discussed on an almost daily basis with park visitors?  In addition to the new knowledge gained from the members of the NTM rattlesnake survey, I often conclude my interpretive programs with an audience invitation to touch the “gross” bullsnake.  Kids eagerly rush to be first in line and of course the cell phones come out.  There are many, many smiles along with surprised observations.  First time holders often comment how they didn’t expect the snake’s underbelly to be so soft or that it’s tongue flick tickled their forearm.  A connection?  An unexpected affection for the creature?  Maybe.  As interpretive pioneer Freeman Tilden stated:  “…through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection.”
 
Mike Dempsey
Education Specialist
Jefferson County Open Space

​Project update:

As you can see from this map, and comparing it to previous ones, some of our rattlesnakes with transmitters move around quite a bit while others stay mostly in the same area. There are likely several reasons for this:

• Pregnant (yes, pregnant, because rattlesnakes do not lay eggs and give live birth) females tend to find areas where they can maximize staying warm to help their babies develop. 
• Resources like food and water change with the season, and so individuals may need to move to survive hot and dry summer days.
• Interactions between individuals, such as a territorial dispute, may lead to conflicts where one snake is pushed out of a "better" area by a more dominant individual. 

Reasons like these are better understood in other animals that have been studied for a long time, however we are just starting to understand such behaviors in rattlesnakes and other small animals.


We are excited to share that we now have all 20 transmitters deployed to the field! As many of you know, rattlesnakes are found throughout the property and in all of its habitats. We are always happy to visit with you at North Table Mountain to hear your rattlesnake encounter story and to answer your questions. We want you to be safe!!! Rattlesnakes are performing their role in this ecosystem, and seem to be doing fine at this site (i.e. a healthy population and numbers). It is important to us that you and your pets visit this area (or any Jefferson County Open Space) informed so you can enjoy your activities fully.

​Thanks for your interest in this project! 

Bryon Shipley

Typically, stories about bullsnakes and rattlesnakes include one of the following:

 
1.Bullsnakes eat rattlesnake eggs.
2.Bullsnakes eat rattlesnakes.
3.Bullsnakes and rattlesnakes breed together.
4.Bullsnakes chase away rattlesnakes.
Bullsnakes are venomous
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Unfortunately, these imaginative stories turn out to be myths, and the biggest problem concerning the confusion of bullsnakes and rattlesnakes is in the mistakes of identifying these snakes.  Misidentification leads to all sorts of misinterpretations, complicated by the vibrating tail tip, which represents a defensive response to a predator.  This behavior is found in many non-venomous snakes, many of whom do not share their home with rattlesnakes.
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​Let’s find some truth in these myths:

​Comments on identification:

            Unless one is very familiar with identification of different snake species, using color patterns can be very confusing; but from a distance, one can focus on two things:  the shape of the head and the shape of the tail.  Bullsnakes, like so many harmless snakes, have a head which can be described as bullet shaped. The head width is very close to the width of the neck.  The tail is long and tapers gradually into a sharp point (like so many other harmless snakes).  In contrast, the rattlesnake has a triangular-shaped head, wider than the neck. Their tails are blunt and short compared to the body, almost always ending with a rattle, although newborns have only a single segment for their rattle.  Rattlesnakes are stockier and heavier in body shape (as adults) compared to the slender, but robust bullsnake. In most cases, if one observes a motionless snake in a tight, concentric coil, it will most likely be a rattlesnake.
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Bullsnakes (=gopher snakes) and rattlesnakes have always coexisted in the same habitat. Thus, it seems contrary that if bullsnakes and rattlesnakes are so incompatible with each other and bullsnakes are so good at repelling rattlesnakes, as many generations of people would have us believe, then why are they still found together?

​We have had another excellent week out at North Table Mountain. The snakes have really started moving now, primarily in the evenings, as the daytime temperatures have been getting into the 80’s and 90’s. The Adaptation Environmental Team, along with several volunteers, have been tracking the snakes three times each week, as well as additional expeditions to try and capture the remaining 9 rattlesnakes we need to reach our goal of 20 snakes.

Finding rattlesnakes may seem like an easy task to those who happen to stumble across them on a hike or walk, but putting together an effort to observe them on a trip to the field can be quite tough. If we want to observe rattlesnakes, there are a few key things we pay attention to in order to maximize our odds of encounters: time of day, the weather forecast, and the temperatures. Time of day comes into account as rattlesnakes change their periods of activity as the year progresses. During the spring and fall, rattlesnakes become primarily daytime creatures as the conditions they need to survive tend to be most prevalent during the day. During the warmer periods of the late spring, summer, and early fall, rattlesnakes tend to be more active in the early mornings, late afternoons, and after dark.

The weather forecast is another way for us to predict the likelihood of finding snakes. In the spring and fall, rattlesnakes tend to be active on sunny or partly sunny days, but during the summer, rattlesnakes tend to be more active during cooler, overcast days. Rattlesnakes in Colorado are rarely active during or after rainstorms as temperatures normally drop rapidly and as a result so does the body temperature of the cold-blooded rattlesnake.

The last key factor we often look for is adequate temperatures. Rattlesnakes are typically the most active between the 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit range, as this allows their bodies to function and/or digest food. This is probably the most important thing we look at because if daytime temperatures are in the 90’s or 100’s, we will want to be searching for the snakes before it gets that hot or as the temps start to cool off. If the temperatures only reach the 60’s or 70’s, we want to be there when they peak. This can also be helpful information for those of you out there who don’t want to encounter snakes, as trying to avoid these times could decrease your chances.

Prior to every time we head out into the field to either look for new snakes or track the ones we have already found, we always want to make sure we can be as safe as possible. This includes dressing in proper attire to protect us from rattlesnakes as we do hike into some thick off-trail areas where they can be extremely difficult to see. Each and every one of the staff and volunteers wears either the combination of thick hiking boots and snake gaiters, or snake proof boots. We do this as a precautionary effort in the instance that we don’t see a snake until it strikes and want to have every piece of protection we can to make sure that no bite occurs directly. This, along with the other safety precautions that we all take while in the field, ensure that we have done everything we can to put the odds on our side as far as safety goes. While you’re out for a hike, remember to stay on trails, keep your hands and feet out of anywhere you can’t see them, give a rattlesnake it’s space and admire it from a distance if you do happen to see one, and enjoy this amazing natural area.
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By Hayley Urbanek
The past weeks of cooler weather and rain have kept some Prairie rattlesnakes from moving around, while others have certainly taken advantage of the seldom warmth to move anyway. Nearly all of our snakes with radio-transmitters are hanging out near rocks, while some we encounter are moving across the grasses. CAUTION: Just east of the quarry on the North Table Loop, there is one rattlesnake with a transmitter (and there could be others) that continually resides near rocks close to the trail. Please look carefully, and then carefully again, before sitting to rest and/ or allowing your dog to sniff around.   
Over the past month and a half, we’ve been fortunate to meet many of you who regularly use North Table Mountain as your escape from the metro-area rush, a place to exercise, or simply checking out local wildlife and wildflowers yourself. We appreciate all of you who have shouted to us where a snake may be, sharing your stories, and other observations. Regarding reptiles and amphibians, we thought we’d share some information on a few more…sure we’re there for Prairie rattlesnakes and safety, but we enjoy finding everything. Thanks so much for meeting us and helping us along the way!

​Along with Prairie rattlesnakes, North Table Mountain is a great home for many species of reptiles and amphibians including:

Though some species have not yet been found during this survey at North Table Mountain, it is likely they occur there. These species include:
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