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Do You Know Which Snake Is a Rattlesnake?

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Do You Know Which Snake Is a Rattlesnake? BULLSNAKE IDENTIFICATION: This brochure is provided by: PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKE . Neck is the same width as the head, and has round pupils; . Upper side yellowish or cream with numerous dark or black blotches; scales on upper back keeled. They can grow much longer than rattlesnakes reaching up to 100 inches, but rarely more than 71 BOULDER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE inches. ANIMAL CONTROL UNIT . They are rattlesnake imposters 5600 Flatiron Parkway because they will also coil up and Boulder, CO 80301 shake their tail, while making a Dispatch: 303‐441‐4444 rattle sound. Snakes cause a number of concerns and LIFE FACTS: conflicts for humans. Information on how . They are distributed throughout to solve conflicts with snakes can be DO YOU KNOW WHICH most of Colorado at elevations obtained through: below about 8,500 feet, mostly below SNAKE IS A 7,000 feet and are very common. Colorado State University Extension . They occupy a variety of habitats www.ext.colostate.edu RATTLESNAKE? and most activity takes place on the ground or in burrows, but these capable climbers sometimes ascend Information and pictures for this brochure high into trees. were provided by: BULLSNAKE . Diet consists primarily of rodents and other small mammals or birds. The Colorado Division of Wildlife This makes them a welcome www.wildlife.state.co.us addition to any property. Bullsnakes are constrictors that kill their prey by simply squeezing them to death. There are over 30 different species of and spadefoot toads, and sometimes snakes coexisting with us in this . When threatened with danger they carrion. Prey are ambushed or wonderful state. Of those 30 species will usually coil their body up and obtained by active foraging. there are only 2 species of snakes that shake their tail, which creates a . Rattlesnakes subdue prey by are venomous according to the buzzing sound. striking them quickly with a Colorado Division of Wildlife. This . Head much broader than the neck; venomous bite. The venom stuns or informational brochure is meant to help kills the prey immediately. you distinguish between a venomous OTHER FACTS: very common rattlesnake and a . Given an opportunity to escape, imposter called a Bullsnake. snakes will choose flight over fight. Pit on each side of face between (but . There are more people killed by lower than) eye and nostril; lightning and bee stings than by . Upper side usually blotched; upper snakebites. scales keeled (have a ridge down the . Colorado State Statutes provide that center); “any person may kill rattlesnakes . Pupil vertically elongated (like a when necessary to protect life or cat’s) in bright light. property” [33‐6‐107(9), C.R.S.]. They can reach up to 48 inches, but . PLEASE USE CAUTION AROUND are rarely greater than 39 inches ANY SNAKE YOU FIND. long. WESTERN OR PRAIRIE LIFE FACTS: . They are throughout most of RATTLESNAKE Colorado, except the high (Crotalus viridis) mountains, reaching an upper elevational limit of 7,500–9,500 feet IDENTIFICATION: in different areas of the state. Horny rattle or button on end of tail; . They occupy virtually every terrestrial habitat and take shelter in crevices, woodpiles, brushy BULLSNAKE OR vegetation, or mammal burrows. Typical food items include small GOPHER SNAKE mammals, lizards, occasional birds (Pituophis catenifer) .
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