In a dramatic expansion of a Colorado “mega den,” the arrival of newborn rattlesnakes marks a significant event in the study of these often-misunderstood reptiles. As summer progresses, the den, located on a rugged hillside, is experiencing an influx of baby rattlesnakes, or pups, emerging into the world.
Researchers are closely observing this phenomenon through a livestream feed, which offers a rare glimpse into the lives of these snakes. The broadcast, available on the Project RattleCam website, allows the public to witness the interactions between the young snakes and adult females, who are seen coiling among lichen-covered rocks.
The livestream has proven valuable for both scientists and enthusiasts. By engaging with the footage, viewers have been instrumental in identifying individual snakes, some of whom have been affectionately dubbed “Woodstock,” “Thea,” and “Agent 008.” This initiative is a joint effort involving California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Central Coast Snake Services, and Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
One goal of the project is to challenge the prevalent notion that rattlesnakes are inherently aggressive. Experts assert that these snakes are rarely a threat unless provoked and often exhibit more passive behaviors. Notably, rattlesnakes are among the few reptiles that show parental care, extending even to the offspring of other snakes. According to Max Roberts, a graduate student researcher at CalPoly, adult rattlesnakes provide protection and warmth to the pups from birth until hibernation.
The den, which houses up to 2,000 rattlesnakes during winter, remains a closely guarded secret to prevent trespassing. During the warmer months, the den’s population decreases as non-pregnant snakes disperse, leaving behind only the expectant females. This summer, researchers have observed the snakes using their coiled bodies to drink water and responding to predatory birds.
The peak of the summer season is marked by the birthing period, occurring from late August to early September. Newly born rattlesnakes instinctively seek out sunlight or shade to regulate their body temperature, a behavior noted by Roberts.
Among the 36 rattlesnake species in the U.S., the prairie rattlesnakes being studied are prevalent across the central and western regions, extending into Canada and Mexico. Unlike most snakes, rattlesnakes give birth to live young rather than laying eggs, with an average brood size of eight.
Research efforts also focus on how environmental factors like temperature and UV light influence snake behavior. Additionally, studies are underway to understand the social structures and relationships among rattlesnakes. With up to 500 online viewers contributing to the research, the project aims to capture the natural behavior of rattlesnakes free from human interference.
As temperatures cool in the Rocky Mountains, some male rattlesnakes are returning to the den. The livestream, powered by solar and battery technology, will cease operations in November and resume next spring when the rattlesnakes re-emerge from their den.