Hobbies And Interests
Venomous Snakes
Technically, snakes are not actually poisonous to touch, and therefore the term "poisonous" is not correct. Since the venom has to be ingested by the victim, the correct term is "venomous." Venomous snakes are not difficult to detect, since there are only two types living in Colorado. The first is the common rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) and the other is the massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus) rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes have the characteristic rattle at the end of their tails, which warn an impending victim to get away before attacked. Both species have fangs that inject the venom and facial pits beneath their eyes, next to their noses, an area that also exhibits enlarged scales. If you get close enough to see the eyes, notice that the pupils appear to look like slits or lines. The head is a larger than the neck and is a triangular shape.
Nonvenomous Snakes
Snakes vary in size from 6 inches to 5 feet or more in length. They come in a variety of colors from white to black and every color in between, including multicolor, or patterns of colors including vertical or horizontal stripes. The plains garter snake (Thamnophis radix) is the most commonly found snake in southeastern Colorado, appearing in all counties. This snake can reach 15 to 28 inches in length and is identifiable by its yellow or orange stripe down its back. It has black stripes or spots on a light background. The blackneck garter Snake is rarely seen, but has been known to exist in southeastern Colorado. Although it has the yellow or orange stripe down its back and is roughly the same size as the plains garter snake, it has a black body. The glossy snake, gopher snake, ground snake, lined snake and milk snake have all been seen in the region.
Snake Behavior
Snakes hibernate and look for damp, cool places for their winter shelter. Snakes find their way into stonewall crevices, holes in foundations and brush piles. To distract them from your yard, you may need to remove these attractive areas, or wall or fence your yard. Since their diet consists of rodents, you may want to resort to other forms of pest control.
Snake Law
It is illegal to kill a wild animal in Colorado without a permit, but it is legal to kill a rattlesnake that is threatening your home or property. City and county ordinances regulate how and when this should be done. There are associations who will send representatives who will go to your property to take the snake away without harming anyone. It is recommended that untrained people do not attempt to move a venomous snake