Colorado is home to 29 different species of snakes, only 3 of which are venomous. All three species that are venomous are types of rattlesnake. The vast majority of snakes are non-games species, meaning that it is illegal to kill them in Colorado. The only exception is the prairie rattlesnake which can be killed if it is threatening to life or during a limited hunting season. Snakes are excellent natural rodent control, they are completely adapted to entering the burrows of mice and rats to eat them. They make great neighbors, even if we may be a little fearful of them. 

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Concern #1 - Snakes in the Yard

Resolutions: Snakes are often in yards because there is a food source, so eliminating snakes from the yard means reducing food sources available for rodents. Keep bird seed sealed in metal bins, keep bird feeders away from your home, and clean up excess seed each evening. Reduce cover available for small animals. Trim bushes and plants so that they do not touch the ground to create shelter. Remove any types of trash, wood piles, and rocks that rodents might hide in. Ensure that if you do have rodents that you locate where they are living and close those entry ways. Do not place sticky traps or poisons out for rodents as poisoned rodents will kill any other animal that eats them, including domestic pets, hawks, owls, and more and many other small animals will become trapped in glue traps. If you have a backyard pond do not stock it with small feeder goldfish as garter snakes find them as easy prey. 

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Concern #2 - Children Catching Snakes & Snake Bites

Resolutions: Most snakes found in urban backyards are various types of garter snakes. They are harmless to humans and children often catch them. Most garter snakes will defecate and "musk" as their defense to being picked up. They can bite, but their bites are no worse than a minor scrape. They do not have fangs, only rows of tiny teeth. Just wash with antibacterial soap. Teaching children how to identify rattlesnakes is important, especially in areas that back up to prairie spaces. The most valuable lesson to teach our children is to leave all wildlife alone. Teach them to observe wild animals, even snakes, from a distance. There are myths of snakes chasing people to attack them, but this is not a trait of snakes in the United States. Snakes will move quickly to try and escape a person, but they will not pursue in a chase. Most snakes can also only strike about 1/2 of their body length. Snakes in Colorado rarely reach a length over 5 feet, so as a safe guideline make sure to stay at least 3 feet away from a snake if you are unable to identify it. A guide on how to identify rattlesnakes and bullsnakes can be found in the External Resources below.

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Concern #3 - Venomous Snake Bites

Resolutions: Keep your eyes and ears open for rattlesnakes and give them space. Unfortunately accidents do still happen. Snakes can be hiding in tall grass next to trails, in rock crevices where we might be climbing, or behind something we might be moving around. Some bites are "dry bites" where no venom is injected. It's important to be checked out by a doctor even if you think the bite was dry. In the case that you are bitten, keep the bite wound at heart level if possible and stay hydrated. Do not cut around the bite or try to suck out the venom. Immediately contact 911 and go to the emergency room. Because the only venomous snakes in Colorado are rattlesnakes it is not necessary to kill the snake for ID. In fact, most rattlesnake bites occur when someone is trying to kill them. Do not make the situation worse by trying to kill the snake and risking another bite. Dogs and horses can be vaccinated for rattlesnake bites. It is preventative and helps boost their immunity to the venom. There are also rattlesnake aversion classes for dogs through many different organizations.

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Concern #4 - Snakes Eating Small Pets or Chickens

Resolutions: Thankfully Colorado is not home to any large snakes that pose significant threats to small pets or chickens. Snakes here usually do not eat anything larger than a rat. Baby rabbits and young chickens are at risk and should be kept inside until they are bigger. Chicken coops or rabbit hutches attract rodents due to spilled or uneaten food, and rodents in turn attract snakes. Snakes might eat chicken eggs but the benefit of having a resident snake inside the chicken coop to handle rodents outweighs the loss of an occasional egg. If you truly want to attempt to keep snakes out of your chicken coop it will require closing off even the smallest of entry points as snakes can squeeze through extremely tight places. You will need to use screen to allow ventilation in your coop as snakes can slither right through chicken wire. Snakes are great at climbing so if you are trying to prevent them from coming into the outdoor part of the coop you will need to use screen here too. A concrete floor will prevent rodents from entering from underneath and therefore will also prevent snakes from entering. It will be easier to prevent snakes from entering a small wooden enclosure than from entering the entire chicken coop. Be sure to also remove any uneaten food each night, trim all the grass from around the coop, and remove anything that could provide shelter for mice and rats from the outside of the coop.