Snake season arrives: Do you know the difference between a rattler and a gopher snake?

ST. GEORGE — With temperatures rising, peak snake season is upon Southern Utah, leading to a higher risk of snake encounters. Which snake species are dangerous and how can a person tell the difference?

A Great Basin rattlesnake, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News

Utah has five species of rattlesnakes, with the Great Basin rattlesnake being the most common. Rattlesnakes and gopher snakes look similar and are often mistaken for each other, said Phenix Johnson, a park naturalist at Snow Canyon State Park.

The first thing you’ll notice about gopher snakes is they don’t have a rattle, Johnson said, adding that rattles look like upside-down corn cobs.

Evolutionarily speaking, venom is a new adaptation for snakes, Johnson said. Both venomous and nonvenomous snakes will shake their tails, sometimes against dry leaves or similar material to ward off predators.

“So basically, all snakes will shake their tail,” Johnson said. “Rattlesnakes just got really good at it and so they found a way to use that to their advantage and make a distinct sound that lets everybody know like, ‘Hey, I’ll really hurt you.'”

Johnson said individuals should assume that all snakes are venomous and keep a safe distance, adding that baby rattlesnakes don’t develop rattles until they shed their first skin.

A common myth states that baby rattlers are more dangerous because they can’t control their venom, but Johnson said this is false, noting that the young snakes carry less venom than older ones. However, baby rattlesnakes are harder to identify correctly because of their lack of rattle.

“So they are thinking that they’re warning you, but they’re not,” she said. “So you’re more likely to not notice a baby rattlesnake and get bit by one.”

A gopher snake, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News

The Great Basin rattlesnake is a viper and holds its venom in the sides of its face, giving its head a triangular shape that’s distinct from the rest of its body. Gopher snakes, on the other hand, have bullet-shaped heads that blend in with their bodies, Johnson said.

Gopher snakes can get up to 7 feet long and tend to have a rounder shape, whereas rattlesnakes typically grow as long as 6 feet with flatter backs and sides, Johnson said. However, when threatened, gopher snakes will attempt to make themselves look larger, flattening their bodies in a way that is similar in shape to rattlesnakes.

A rattlesnake’s pupil shape is a vertical slit, while the gopher snake’s is round, Johnson said, adding that she doesn’t recommend getting close enough to a snake to check.

Johnson said another common myth is that nonvenomous snakes have round pupils and venomous snakes have vertical pupils, however, she said this is not the case as “vertical pupils indicate nocturnal activity.”

As an example, she said coral snakes are quite venomous but have round pupils.

What to do in case of snakebite

Johnson said a person who’s been bitten should keep their heart rate down, try to stay calm and seek immediate medical attention.

A Great Basin rattlesnake, Date and location not specified | Photo by Tom Becker, courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News

“There’s an old thing going around about like sucking the venom out,” she said. “Once it’s in your bloodstream, it’s in your bloodstream.”

If bitten somewhere away from a vehicle or inaccessible to an ambulance, she suggests that the bitten individual be carried out or given assistance walking.

“Even if you feel physically able to do it,” she said. “You just want as little exercise as possible to keep that heart rate as low as possible.”

Johnson suggests taking a picture of the snake to help obtain a positive identification. Additionally, if there is a possibility it was a rattlesnake, it’s a good idea to call the hospital in advance to let them know.

Avoiding encounters

To avoid an encounter, Johnson said hikers should stay on the trail and teach children to do so, and keep dogs on leashes.

Great Basin rattlesnake in southwestern Utah., date and location not specified | Photo by Lynn Chamberlain, courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News

“So staying on trail, the area’s clear, you’re going to see if something’s ahead of you or not,” she said.

Johnson stressed that those who find rattlesnakes on the trail should keep their distance and not attempt to move them. In these situations, people should move around the snake, even if that means going off-trail.

“Don’t like do the hero thing where you try and like do a Steve Irwin and pick it up behind the head and throw it,” she said. “Don’t do any of that. Just let it be. Go around it. Don’t try to pick it up. That’s going to be people who are most likely to get bit by a snake.”

Peak rattlesnake season is when temperatures rise to over 70 degrees regularly. Johnson said individuals should be aware of their surroundings and check rocks, under ledges and other areas snakes might be hiding.

Because snakes are coldblooded and cannot regulate their body temperature internally, they are more likely to be sunning out in the open mornings and evenings. On warmer afternoons, they’re likely to be hidden away, Johnson said.

Handling encounters at home

A gopher snake, date and location not specified | Photo courtesy of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, St. George News

Johnson said residents occasionally kill gopher snakes believing they are rattlesnakes but the best course of action is to stay a safe distance away and call the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, as they’re trained to handle potentially venomous snakes.

According to the Division’s website, rattlesnakes are a protected species in Utah and it is a class B misdemeanor to harass or kill one unless threatened or in self-defense. Attempting to kill a rattlesnake can increase a person’s risk of snakebite.

Johnson said both species play an important role in the ecosystem, controlling pest species like gophers and rats.

If a person finds a snake outside their home, they can call the Hurricane field office at 435-879-8694 or the Southern Regional office in Cedar City at 435-865-6100.

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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