Rattlesnakes can be found in some Fort Collins natural areas.

Some Fort Collins natural areas have rattlesnakes. Like all wildlife, snakes are a natural part of the ecosystem, and humans need to take certain precautions around them.

Many people think the City should get rid of rattlesnakes in our natural areas. We don’t destroy them, because they are a part of the ecosystem. Natural areas are maintained, as much as possible, in a natural condition. This means leaving wildlife in their natural habitats.

Prairie rattlesnakes have a specific niche in the ecosystem. They eat small rodents, especially mice and rats which often carry disease to humans. In agricultural areas, snakes reduce populations of rodents that often destroy crops. Snakes are food for some birds of prey.

When we are in natural areas, we are visitors in the wildlife’s home and need to behave accordingly. When we build homes at the edge of wildlife habitat, we have invaded wildlife territory, and they may try to reclaim their former homes. We may even, inadvertently, entice wildlife into our homes and yards. For example, leaving pet foot sitting around attracts mice and rats, which in turn, attracts snakes.

Rattlesnake Behavior:
Snakes would prefer to avoid humans rather than to bite. If a rattlesnake is rattling its tail, it wants to scare you away, not bite you. Be cooperative by slowly moving away.

A snake is most likely to bite if it is surprised or cornered. Give it enough room, and it will probably slither away.

Even an uncoiled snake can bite. If you surprise a snake, it may not have time to coil, but it may still strike out to bite you.

Rattlesnakes are cold-blooded. This means that they move more slowly in cool weather. Since they need heat, they are likely to lay on sun-warmed pavement or rocks to absorb heat. If it gets too hot (over 100 degrees), snakes need to get into the shade (under a bush, rock, or log) to avoid overheating.

Where You Are Likely to Encounter Rattlesnakes:
Rattlesnakes like rocky outcrops, rocky stream courses, and ledges. They may den in mammal burrows, rock crevices, or caves. They may be on the trails – either going across the trail as they move from one place to another or laying on a paved trail to soak up warmth. They also may be in grasses and other vegetation beside a trail.

There are several Fort Collins natural areas where you are likely to encounter rattlesnakes:

• Cathy Fromme Prairie Natural Area. (There is an emergency telephone at the Shields Street parking lot.)
• Coyote Ridge Natural Area. (There is an emergency telephone at the parking lot and one near the cabin about 1 mile from the trailhead.)
• Pineridge Natural Area. (There is an emergency telephone at the Dixon Reservoir parking lot.)
• Reservoir Ridge Natural Area. (There is an emergency telephone across the street from the Centennial Drive parking lot on the west side of the natural area.)
• Bobcat Ridge Natural Area.

When You Are Likely To Encounter Rattlesnakes:
Rattlesnakes are active from early spring through mid fall. They hibernate in winter.

Rattlesnakes are more active and more aggressive in spring, shortly after emerging from hibernation. Rattlesnake young are born in August through October. Then the young and adults alike hibernate. Each mother can have from 1 to 25 babies at a time; the typical number is from 4 to 12. So when all these rattlesnakes emerge from hibernation in the spring, there is a flurry of activity. The young ones seem particularly aggressive when they first emerge from hibernation.

In the fall, you may see another flurry of activity as the rattlesnakes scurry to find a warm place to hibernate for the winter.

In between, during the summer, rattlesnakes are not likely to be seen in great numbers, but may be seen individually in their typical habitat at any time.

Protecting Yourself:
Wear heavy leather high-top boots.

When you see a snake, move slowly away from it. If it is going across the trail, stand still and wait for the snake to move away. Snakes do not see well, but they perceive sudden movement as a threat. If you move away slowly, the snake may not be as likely to see you or feel threatened by you.

Never reach under a rock or log or onto a ledge unless you can clearly see that there is no snake there. Look on the other side of logs or rocks on the trail before stepping over them.

Snakes are especially difficult to see in tall grass. Be particularly careful in watching for snakes if tall grasses are growing next to the trail. On a wide trail, stay near the center of the trail to reduce the changes of surprising a snake in the grass.

Protecting Pets:
Dogs are more likely to die from rattlesnake bites than humans are. Keep your dog on a leash (which is the law in natural areas) and close to you (i.e., on a short leash) when walking in a natural area where rattlesnakes may be encountered. If the dog is close to you, you may be able to see the rattlesnake before the dog does and stop the dog before it gets close to the snake. Dogs roaming free are more likely to be bitten by rattlesnakes than leashed dogs.

If a Rattlesnake Bites You:
Slowly move away from the snake and remain calm. It is important to get medical care soon.

If you have a cell phone, call 911 from where you are. Do not hike back to the trailhead unless emergency personnel advise you to do so.

If you have no cell phone, remain where you are and have a hiking partner go to an emergency telephone (locations identified above).

If you are alone and have no cell phone, walk calmly, DO NOT RUN, to an emergency telephone and call for help. Exertion causes the heart to pump blood faster, making the poison spread faster. Therefore, running is worse than walking.

Back to Top