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