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Rattler Tattler at North Table Mountain

6/20/2017

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​By Hunter Johnson

​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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Rattler Tattler at North Table Mountain

6/5/2017

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

Snakes

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Bullsnake
​Bullsnakes are commonly confused with rattlesnakes due to their similar patterns and the Bullsnake’s defense mechanisms, including vibrating their tail, flattening their head, and making hissing noises. Unlike rattlesnakes, Bullsnakes snakes are harmless to humans. Bullsnakes feed off of rodents.

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​Yellow-bellied Racer
Yellow-bellied Racers spend time basking in the sun or searching for food, including small rodents, frogs, toads, insects, and birds.
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Plains Garter Snake
The Plains Garter Snake prefers to live near areas with water where it can access its diet of earthworms, fish, frogs, toads, and small rodents.
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​Central Plains Milk Snake
While prevalent, milk snakes prefer to stay hidden, spending most of their time under cover, occasionally found out and about in search of food, including smaller snakes, rodents, or lizards.

Lizards

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​Prairie Lizard
Prairie Lizards are the only known species of lizard found on North Table Mountain, and are commonly found on rocks. Their primary diet consists of bugs and insects.

Frogs

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​Boreal Chorus Frog
Chorus frogs are more commonly heard than observed. Chorus frogs live along bodies water and feed off of insects, bugs, or spiders.

Toads

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​Woodhouse’s Toad
Woodhouse’s toads occur near water and feed off of various insects and bugs.

Salamanders

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​Tiger Salamander
The Tiger Salamander is the only species of salamander in Colorado, and our official state amphibian. Tiger salamanders live underground for the majority of their life, occasionally surfacing to find food such as insects and worms. 
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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Snakes

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​Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
Like Plains Garter Snakes, Western Terrestrial garters are found near water to access their diet of fish, frogs, toads, earthworms, and small rodents.
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​Lined Snake
Lined snakes live under rocks and feed primarily off of earthworms.
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​Plains Black-headed Snake
Though venomous, the Plains Black-headed snake is not dangerous to humans. Black-headed snakes live underground or under cover and feed off of centipedes.
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​Western Hognose Snake
While the Western Hognose Snake may be found at North Table Mountain, it is highly unlikely. Hognose snakes are similar in pattern to the prairie rattlesnake, but not dangerous to humans. They feed off of toads, lizards, and rodents.

Lizards

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​Six-Lined Racerunner
Six-lined Racerunners live in open, sunny areas and eat insects and spiders.

Frogs

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​American Bullfrog
Bullfrogs are invasive in Colorado. Bullfrogs eat snakes, other frogs, toads, insects, fish, etc. Bullfrogs spend most of their life in or near water.
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​Northern Leopard Frog
Northern leopard frogs live near aquatic areas and eat insects or other small animals. These are a sensitive species in Colorado, and known populations are carefully monitored. While largely remaining near water sources, they may move across drier habitats for considerable distances to get to another water body. 
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    Joseph Ehrenberger

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