Following a week of cold and snowy weather that slowed us down, the sun is back out and so are the Prairie Rattlesnakes. Yesterday we were able to collect another three snakes for a total of seven study animals of out of our 20 animal goal. From our field observations, we believe spring emergence is well underway and many snakes will be out crawling to their foraging grounds. Now that we’ve covered study updates, let’s discuss how this study came about.
The project this blog focuses on, What’s All The Buzz About?: Prairie Rattlesnake Movements in an Urban Landscape and Assessing Visitor Perception, was funded through the Jefferson County Open Space Small Research Grants Program. Following their submission, JCOS staff advisers evaluate the proposals based on criteria including the potential benefit of the research to the management of Jeffco Open Space lands, the potential impact of the project on resources, and the qualifications of the investigators that will be conducting the study. The Jeffco Open Space Planning Team received many excellent small research grant proposals this year and a total of nine grants were awarded. Other projects funded this year through this program range from rare plant and aquatic insect inventories to using fossils and biomarkers to better understand climate and environmental change across the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary at South Table Mountain.
But why pursue a study about rattlesnakes at North Table Mountain? The information collected over the course of the field research will include the location of the snake’s winter hibernation sites, maternity dens, and summer foraging areas, all of which are extremely useful in management of the species. North Table Mountain has a great diversity of habitats on site and shares many characteristics with other Jefferson County Open Space parks. It is likely that any information we learn about the behavior of rattlesnakes at North Table Mountain will also give us insights into their activities in our other parks.
Beyond the natural resources and scientific value of the study, the greatest benefit of this research will be an increase in rattlesnake safety and awareness for our park visitors. Throughout the duration of this research project, Jeffco Open Space visitors will be provided with opportunities to learn about rattlesnake behavior, ecology and safety by talking with field researchers or JCOS staff assisting with the project. The Prairie Rattlesnake is a generalist that can be found from plains habitat up into ponderosa pine communities in the mountains. The odds are that, if you are visiting a Jefferson County Open Space park, you are in rattlesnake country. If you’ve been reading these blog posts, you know that rattlesnakes have already emerged from hibernation and visitors will begin encountering them more frequently as the weather warms. There are a number of habits you can adopt to reduce the chances of having a negative encounter with a Prairie Rattlesnake and to keep yourself, children, and pets safe while enjoying the outdoors:
The project this blog focuses on, What’s All The Buzz About?: Prairie Rattlesnake Movements in an Urban Landscape and Assessing Visitor Perception, was funded through the Jefferson County Open Space Small Research Grants Program. Following their submission, JCOS staff advisers evaluate the proposals based on criteria including the potential benefit of the research to the management of Jeffco Open Space lands, the potential impact of the project on resources, and the qualifications of the investigators that will be conducting the study. The Jeffco Open Space Planning Team received many excellent small research grant proposals this year and a total of nine grants were awarded. Other projects funded this year through this program range from rare plant and aquatic insect inventories to using fossils and biomarkers to better understand climate and environmental change across the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary at South Table Mountain.
But why pursue a study about rattlesnakes at North Table Mountain? The information collected over the course of the field research will include the location of the snake’s winter hibernation sites, maternity dens, and summer foraging areas, all of which are extremely useful in management of the species. North Table Mountain has a great diversity of habitats on site and shares many characteristics with other Jefferson County Open Space parks. It is likely that any information we learn about the behavior of rattlesnakes at North Table Mountain will also give us insights into their activities in our other parks.
Beyond the natural resources and scientific value of the study, the greatest benefit of this research will be an increase in rattlesnake safety and awareness for our park visitors. Throughout the duration of this research project, Jeffco Open Space visitors will be provided with opportunities to learn about rattlesnake behavior, ecology and safety by talking with field researchers or JCOS staff assisting with the project. The Prairie Rattlesnake is a generalist that can be found from plains habitat up into ponderosa pine communities in the mountains. The odds are that, if you are visiting a Jefferson County Open Space park, you are in rattlesnake country. If you’ve been reading these blog posts, you know that rattlesnakes have already emerged from hibernation and visitors will begin encountering them more frequently as the weather warms. There are a number of habits you can adopt to reduce the chances of having a negative encounter with a Prairie Rattlesnake and to keep yourself, children, and pets safe while enjoying the outdoors:
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Bite Prevention
- Wear long, loose pants and closed-toed shoes made of sturdy material.
- Stay on designated trails. Prairie Rattlesnakes have excellent camouflage, and not all will give a rattling warning before resorting to a defensive bite. Staying on trail reduces your risk of accidentally stepping on a rattlesnake.
- Maintain awareness of your surroundings. If you are listening to a device, keep one ear bud out at all times so that you can hear a rattlesnake’s warning (but don’t count on one - not all rattlesnakes give a rattling warning).
- Leash pets and keep them on a short lead. Dogs investigate with their face. When curious dogs are bitten, the bite is often to the face, neck or chest - these bite sites are much more dangerous than a bite taken on a limb.
- Look before you step, sit or grab. Snakes bask on trails or rocky ledges and take shelter under rocks, ledges, and shrubs.
- If you encounter a rattlesnake, practice the 30/30 rule: back away 30 feet and give the rattlesnake 30 seconds to decide to leave. Repeat, if necessary. Do not attempt to throw rocks or move the snake, as this only makes them more defensive and likely to stay put until they feel danger has passed. Ask yourself, “Do I really want to engage with an angry rattlesnake?” The answer should be, “No.”
First Aid
In the unlikely event of a rattlesnake bite, remain calm and call 911. Follow the directions of the dispatcher. Be prepared to provide your exact location on the trail (trail name, park name, and closest trail junction). Keep the bitten area at or below the level of the heart. Do not attempt to cut, suck, ice or apply a tourniquet to the bite area. The most important first aid in this scenario is to keep the bitten person calm. Anticipate swelling and remove rings, bracelets or other items that might constrict with severe swelling. Monitor for severe allergic reactions and immediately update dispatch if you experience trouble breathing. Do not attempt to capture or kill the snake that delivered the bite - this puts you at an unnecessary risk as the Prairie Rattlesnake is the only one dangerously venomous snake native to the Front Range.
If a pet is bitten, the animal needs to be evacuated and will need immediate medical attention. Call ahead to make sure your vet stocks anti-venom. If they do not, they can advise of the closest location that does.
If a pet is bitten, the animal needs to be evacuated and will need immediate medical attention. Call ahead to make sure your vet stocks anti-venom. If they do not, they can advise of the closest location that does.
Whether rattlesnakes excite you for good or bad reasons, we want you to be aware of them in our Jeffco Open Space parks. Enjoy the beautiful weather this week, and stay ssssssafe!
For more information about this project or rattlesnake safety, e-mail me at [email protected].
For more information about this project or rattlesnake safety, e-mail me at [email protected].
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