​Another interesting fact about snakes and their hibernacula is that it isn’t uncommon for different species of snakes to use the same hibernaculum for winter. Bullsnakes, racers, garter snakes, and rattlesnakes can all be found in the same den coexisting peacefully (as the world should be) and then go their own ways once spring arrives. Despite the fact that racers are predators on small rattlesnakes and other snakes, there is a truce called during hibernation.          

Rattlesnakes will stay in their dens roughly from November to March; however, it isn’t unlikely to see them enjoying those warm winter days just like us!

AES volunteer, Craig, pointing at a natural den where Prairie Rattlesnakes were found. 

Adaptation has been on the road this summer! We’ve been to California, New Mexico, and a little closer to home, Southeastern Colorado!  Our work in Colorado has been with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and their Resource Stewardship team, conducting herptile (reptile and amphibian) surveys. Our goal is to identify the reptile and amphibian diversity at various Colorado State Parks and provide education and outreach materials as well as management recommendations.  

In order to determine the different species at any given state park, we employ a variety of methods. Our surveys consist of turtle trapping, walking and searching, natural cover board surveys and road cruising. Natural cover board surveys refers to turning over rocks, decaying logs and leaf litter. However, this is done carefully and with gloves and tools to stay protected in case we flip anything dangerous (e.g. a surprise Prairie Rattlesnake). Road cruising is an important technique because roads hold heat longer compared to other surfaces, this makes it attractive to reptiles who can’t regulate their heat internally and therefore, look for warm surfaces for basking. Furthermore, roads create transects that are easy to survey.

​We visited a few state parks this summer, including one in Southeastern Colorado. Our team observed 28 different species by the end of the summer! Some of our exciting finds include, Spiny Softshell Turtles, Green Toads, Plains Leopard Frogs, Great Plains Ratsnakes, a Plains Black-headed Snake, a Longnose Snake, Red-sided Gartersnakes, a Lined Snake, and a New Mexico Threadsnake.
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“Herps”, as we like to call them, play important roles in their ecosystems. Some keep prey populations in check, for example, frogs eat insects and snakes eat rodents, which controls the spread of disease. Many herps are also important prey for predators and help keep food webs in balance. A diverse herp population is indicative of a healthy ecosystem. When herp populations are diverse and healthy, this means that the environment they are in can support a variety of wildlife. More biodiverse environments are more sustainable and lead to more balanced, functional systems.

It was very promising to see such a diverse population at the state park. With records of these animals, CPW and park rangers can work together to help protect and maintain these ecosystems and animal populations so many of us can enjoy them for as long as possible. 

Bullsnake (below)

Yellow-bellied racer (above)
Wandering Gartersnake (below)

Are you looking for things to do with your kiddos while they are out of school this summer? Viewing wildlife can be fun and educational! Colorado is home to over 400 species of birds, and over 80 species of reptiles and amphibians! Kids can engage with nature, learn how to treat it with respect, and take some cool pictures to show off to their friends later.

Here are 5 places you can visit to see wildlife this summer. 

1. Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge: This refuge is home to more than 330 animal species including bison, mule, and white-tailed deer. Even bald eagles winter here! You can take an 11 mile drive through the park and drive right next to the bison area. You can also take a number of short hikes, including many woodland and wetland trails, as well as our favorite - a grassland trail called Rattlesnake hill! 
2. Mount Evans Scenic Byway: Bring a lunch and take a drive up this iconic 14,264 foot mountain! It is a 28 mile drive and you can take many stops along the way to view bighorn sheep, pikas, marmots, and mountain goats. Fun fact - this is the highest paved road in North America, so bring a jacket as the temperature gradually drops while you climb up. Some stops we recommend are Echo Lake, the Denver Botanic Gardens Mount Goliath location, and the multiple lookout pull offs. 
3.  Estes Park: At this nationally recognized location, elk can be seen any time, bighorn sheep are seen at Sheep Lake in the summer, and moose frequent willow thickets along the Colorado River.  Overall, there are hundreds of wildlife species to be seen. They will customize your trip for you and make this an experience your kids will never forget. 
4. Guanella Pass:  Look for mountains goats, bobcats, beavers, bighorn sheep, and various bird species as you drive this beautiful 23 mile stretch of road. You will journey between two watersheds - South Platte and Clear Creek, through spruce and aspen groves until you hit the treeline - where the trees stop growing and the tundra begins. There are a number of trails you can hike along and get some incredible photos of the scenery and wildlife! We recommend the famous Guanella Pass Trail - it is easily accessible and not super strenuous. 
5. Wild Animal Sanctuary: This sanctuary is known for rescuing wildlife, especially of predatory nature, and rehabilitating them. There’s a 1.5 mile elevated walkway you can take to view tigers, bears, lions, and more. The animals roam free, so every time you come, there’s a chance to see something/someone different. Since the summers can be hot, come at sunrise or take advantage of the Sanctuary’s Wild Nights program. 

Remember! Anywhere you go:

• Keep a safe distance from wildlife.
• Use binoculars and zoom lenses if you want to observe wildlife closer.
• Never stop or block traffic.
• Never follow or chase animals.
• Observe quietly - there’s a lot to see and hear! 
• Keep all pets on leash.
• Leave each place you stop and visit as you found it! 
• Have fun, be safe, and enjoy nature! 

Photos by No Coast Photography

Our first date out in the field was April 7th, 2019. We successfully captured and inserted PIT-tags in five snakes that will allow us to determine if snakes found on campus are repeat offenders or the activity is at random. ​

Written by Norma Davenport, Lead Research Associate at Adaptation Environmental Services

Stay safe on the trails as rattlesnakes begin to move to their hibernacula! Photo by Ryan Borgmann

As anticipated (and discussed in our previous blog), at least two gravid (pregnant) Prairie Rattlesnake mothers gave live birth to neonates around August 19th this year. The exact number of neonates born this year is unknown, but the average litter size for Prairie Rattlesnakes is 12, however this can vary depending on the age and size of the mother (Hammerson, 1999). Moms stay with their neonates through their first skin shed, which is about 7-10 days after birth. The mothers we are tracking have now moved on to find food before winter. ​

JCOS received two reports of visitor-killed snakes on the trail. Engaging with a snake and leaving a dead snake on the trail is way more dangerous than practicing the 30/30 rule (see below).
 

1. Choosing to attempt to move or harm a snake instead of just leaving it alone increases risk of a bite greatly.
2. A snake that has been harassed and is agitated will almost certainly release more venom than a snake that has simply been surprised. More venom = more negative impact to the patient.
3. A snake that has been left for dead can still have a bite reflex hours after death. That means any pet, child or curious adult could be envenomated when they attempt investigate or handle the deceased snake.

 
This is why killing snakes is not only inhumane, it is also exceptionally dangerous not only to the person killing the snake but also to the hundreds of pets, kids and people that will pass the dead snake after the visitor who killed the snake is long gone.

1. Finally, it is against Park Regulations to kill wildlife, including snakes:

C.9. Wildlife Protection: It shall be unlawful for any person, or any pet under their custody, control or ownership, to harass, chase, harm, capture, kill, maim or possess any wildlife including, but not limited to, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish on Open Space Lands. Fine: $300.00

• Meanwhile, venomous snakes are contributing to saving our lives by being alive.
  • Snakes provide valuable ecosystem services by eating wildlife we consider pests, like spiders, crickets, voles, and mice.
  • Venomous animals, including rattlesnakes, also contribute our health and survival by providing us with medicine. Here’s a recent article about Colorado’s very own venom researcher, Dr. Stephen Mackessy.

Photos by Ryan Borgmann