Do you know how to be safe around western rattlesnakes?  Here are 5 important tips to keep in mind when you are out exploring the Rockies, especially in likely rattlesnake habitat.

I’ve spent a good amount of time hiking, camping, fishing, and climbing in the Rockies.  During my explorations I’ve come across a western rattlesnake only a handful of times.  Luckily for me none of those resulted in a bite.  Once the snake was off the side of the trail and I didn’t see it until I literally stepped right next to it.  It rattled its tail and raised its head and caused me to freak out, but nothing happened.  Here are some important, simple tips to be safe around western rattlesnakes, a common reptile of the Rockies.

5 Tips To Be Safe Around Western Rattlesnakes

Pay Attention To Where You Put Your Feet And Hands

When you are hiking or climbing you need to really look at where you are placing your hands and feet.  If you are walking in grass or climbing on rocks try to make sure you don’t put your hand or foot on a rattlesnake.

Give The Rattlesnake Plenty Of Space

If you see a rattlesnake be sure to give it plenty of space.  If you see one, don’t go approaching it to get a better look.  Western rattlesnakes are not aggressive, so for the most part they just want to be left alone.  They may shake their rattle and lift their head just to warn you to keep away from them.

Keep Your Children Close

If you are out hiking with young children you should be sure to keep them away from the snake. Use a calm, authoritative voice to get your children to stay near you.  Then warn them about the dangers of the snake.  You may even pick up small children to be sure they don’t go near the snake.

Keep Your Dog Or Pets Under Control

It is crucial that you keep your dogs under control if you see a rattlesnake.  Dogs may see the snake and want to investigate or harass it.  That may lead to the snake biting the dog or even the dog killing the snake.  Neither of those is a good outcome.  The best outcome is to keep your dog under control so your dog and the snake are safe.

Be More Aware Of Snakes In The Spring And Fall

Remember, western rattlesnakes, like all reptiles, are ectotherms.  That just means that they can’t control their own body temperature, but rely on their surroundings for their temperature.

Thus, if it is too cold they are slow and can’t be active.  In the winter rattlesnakes go into a state or rest and stay in a hibernaculum with many other snakes.  Then as the temperature warms up in the spring they come outside to sit in the sun and warm up.  The ideal temperature for them is between 60s and 80s.  Once it’s too hot they seek shade.

This all means that the spring and fall are the times of year when you are most likely to see or encounter a snake when out hiking.