Watch Where You Walk In Sinks Canyon, Which Is Loaded With Prairie Rattlesnakes

Key Points:

• Sinks Canyon State Park near Lander is home to a robust population of prairie rattlesnakes, with wildlife researcher Emily Martin catching over 100 snakes in a single season, though exact population numbers are unknown.
• Prairie rattlesnakes are generally shy and avoid humans, with no reported human bites in the park during the past four years; dogs off-leash are at higher risk of snake bites, and training courses exist to teach dogs to avoid such hazards.
• The park provides ideal habitat for rattlesnakes, offering shelter below the frostline for winter dormancy, and the snakes primarily prey on rodents like mice and rabbits, playing a key role in the local ecosystem.
• Rattlesnakes use rattling as a warning to avoid confrontation and bites usually occur only when humans get too close or try to handle them; timely medical treatment with antivenom greatly reduces the risk of serious harm or death.
• Tracking prairie rattlesnakes involves implanting transmitters surgically, revealing varied movement patterns and long lifespans up to 60 years; relocating snakes is challenging as they may return to original spots or fail to survive in unfamiliar areas.