Shake Rattle and Stroll –Flash Cards-Wild Aware Utah Snake
Safety
Talking Points 2015
Introduction:
Today we will learn about Utah snakes, how to tell who is venomous, who
is not and how to avoid conflicts with snakes. The Wild Aware Utah
Program founded by Utah’s Hogle Zoo with the Utah Division of Wildlife
Resources, Utah State University Cooperative Extension-Wildlife. Thank
you for coming. Although most encounters with snakes in Utah are not
dangerous, it is important to learn how to keep yourself, family and pets
safe. Today we will be talking about
 What kind of snakes are found in Utah -Identification and
characteristics
 Safety tips to help you avoid conflicts
 The difference between Venomous vs. non-venomous snakes
 Let’s learn about snakes and have fun!
There are approximately 31 different types of snakes that call Utah home.
Approx. 7 are venomous snakes. Snakes belong to the animal group called
reptiles. This group also includes crocodiles, lizards, and turtles. A snake’s
skin is smooth and dry, not wet like an amphibian. Snakes shed their skin
several times a year in a process that usually lasts a few days. They are
cold-blooded, which means they cannot regulate their own body
temperature. Their body temperature on whether it is hot or cold outside.
Mammals, including humans are warm-blooded.
 Who knows what time of the year snakes are most active?
(Spring and summer).
 What are they doing in the winter? (Hibernating in burrows
underground).
1. FLASH CARD #1SNAKE HABITATS:
Take a look at these pictures.
 Where do you think snakes find places to hide? Snakes may seek
shelter under rocks, wood or leaf piles, under tree roots or holes in
the earth, and even under manmade structures like under sheds and
porches.
 FLASH CARD #2 WHY ARE SNAKES IMPORTANT:
 What do snakes eat? Snakes are strictly carnivores, meat
eaters. Snakes can’t bite food so have to swallow it whole.
Snakes prefer to prey on warm-blooded animals, mainly
rodents like mice and rats. They will also eat birds, insects,
eggs, amphibians and smaller reptiles. They have flexible jaws
which allow them to eat prey bigger than their head!
 Snakes help to control the population of rodents and insects.
They are the easiest, least expensive and most natural pest
control. More people are affected by rodent-borne diseases
then are bitten by snakes. Snakes are helpful to farmers, since
rodents and insects can decimate crops and stored food
supplies.
 Did you know that all snakes are protected in Utah? Snakes are
classified as non-game animals and are protected by Utah
State law. A person cannot collect or possess a live, wild snake
without receiving a Certificate of Registration from the Utah
Division of Wildlife Resources.
 FLASH CARD #3 AT HOME
The best way to avoid conflicts with snakes near your home is to make
your property unattractive to them.
 Keep lawns mowed.
 Trim back bushes.
 Remove wood or rock piles.
 Check building foundations for cracks and openings larger than ¼
inch and fill in with caulking.
 Cover pipes entering buildings with screen.
 Control rodents on your property.
 Seal any cracks in building foundations, porches, pipes and windows.
 Check the yard before letting children and pets out to play.
Why is there a birdfeeder shown here? What would attract snakes to a
feeder? (Birds and rodents eating fallen seed)
 Clean up any fallen seed from bird feeders. Doing so will keep the
rodents from gathering in your yard.
 FLASH CARD #4 HIKING
Be wild aware while out hiking.
 Which one of these pair of shoes is best to wear when hiking in
an area where snakes may live? Wear closed-toed shoes not
flip flops when hiking.
 Pay attention to your surroundings, snakes hide well on open
trails and in dense vegetation.
 Look carefully where you place your feet, and before you sit
down on the ground, on rocks, or on logs.
 Stay on paths and cleared areas when hiking.
 Keep pets leashed so they are under your control. If they are
leashed they can be pulled away from a snake.
 Don’t try to pick up or play with snakes.
 When camping, keep tents zipped shut and sleeping bags
rolled and zipped up before bedding down for the night.
 FLASH CARD #5 IDENTIFYING VENOMOUS
SNAKES
It is common for people to call some snakes poisonous. This description
is incorrect. They are in fact venomous. The difference is in the definition
of the two words.
 What is the difference between poison and venom? Poison is
something you must ingest (eat) to make you ill. Venom must be
injected into your body to make you ill. Either from something such
as the fangs of a snake, or quill of a sea urchin.
Take a look at these two snakes side by side. One is a venomous
rattlesnake; the other is a non-venomous Gopher snake. Here in Utah we
only have venomous pit vipers or rattlesnakes. This identification may not
be useful in other states that have venomous snakes, such as coral
snakes.
 Which one is which?
 The first snake is the venomous snake, called a pit viper. Seen
from above the shape of the head is like a heart or a spade. Pit
vipers have round jowels that hold the venom sacs, giving them a
snub-short looking head. They also have a ‘cat’s-eye’ long pupil.
Take a look at the pit holes between the nose and eyes. Those are
used to sense their prey.
 The second is the non-venomous snake. The head is the same
width as the body. They have a round eye and round pupil. There
are no additional pit sensor holes on the face. They have a longer,
rounded face.
 We do not recommend that you get close to inspect the snake. If
you are not sure if it is venomous or not, keep your distance.
 FLASH CARD #6 RATTLESNAKE AND GOPHER SNAKE
A. The snake on the left is a Great Basin Rattlesnake, and is
venomous. Rattlesnakes get their name from a series of “buttons”
on the end of their tail that they shake to warn other animals of
their presence. -Buttons are formed from modified hollow scales
on the tail -They produce a rattle noise when they rub against
each other. Rattlesnakes form a new button every time they shed.
-How often a snake sheds depends on its age and health. You
can’t tell the age of a rattlesnake by counting the number of rattles
it has. Rattlesnakes may also break their rattles off, so it is
possible to encounters a rattlesnake with a very short, or possibly
even no, rattle. Baby rattlesnakes do not have rattles until after
their first shed.
B. Rattlesnakes are seldom aggressive, they need to conserve
energy and venom to kill their prey, but will defend themselves.
Adult rattlesnakes can control the amount of venom they inject and
may give a “dry” bite when no venom is actually injected. Baby
rattlesnakes are just as dangerous as adults. They have less
venom but it is more concentrated. They do not have control over
the amount injected. Once threatened, they will coil, begin shaking
their rattles and hiss. This behavior is a warning for the predator to
leave. They can quickly strike in any direction from any position. A
rattlesnake can strike 1/3 to 2/3rds of its body length. They do not
need to be coiled to strike. The actual strike is usually faster than
the eye can see. Striking in defense is their last resort. They need
to conserve their venom. They need venom to kill their prey to
survive.
C. The snake on the right is a Great Basin Gopher snake. Some
species of non-venomous snakes, such as the Gopher snake, will
mimic rattlesnake behavior to protect themselves from predators.
When it feels threatened, it will hiss and shake its tail like a
rattlesnake does. In dry leaves or grass it may sound like a rattle.
This is meant to fool the predator into thinking it is a venomous
snake. They are often mistaken for rattlesnake and killed by
humans out of fear.
 FLASH CARD #7-IDENTIFY THE BITE
The first bite is a non-venomous bite; look at the series of small, pointed
teeth. The second is a venomous snake’s bite. Look at the larger fang
marks at the top and you may see the smaller back teeth marks in the skin.
 Most people are bit when they try to handle a wild snake. Nonvenomous snakebites are harmless. The only concern would be
potential infection. If bitten, clean and sterilize the wound with
disinfectant. Treat and cover the wound similar to any cut or abrasion
you may have received previously. If you are unsure of what kind of
snakebite you always treat it as if it was venomous and see a doctor.
Bites from venomous snakes will almost instantly show signs of swelling
and discoloration of the surrounding tissue. Venom consists of as many as
40 different complex proteins that have different effects on the body. Rattlesnakes are primarily hemotoxic. Their venom works mainly on the
cardiovascular system. It paralyzes the prey and starts breaking down the
tissue to aid in digestion. It interferes with blood clotting, destroys tissue,
and causes organs to break down. Seriousness of a bite depends on
potency of venom, amount injected and age and health of the victim. Other
symptoms will include a tingling sensation, nausea, rapid pulse, loss of
muscle coordination, and weakness. (The Western Venom Laboratory in
Research Park in Salt Lake City manufactures CroFab, an antivenin that is
effective on most US Pit Vipers).
If you are bitten and are unable to identify the snake, seek medical
attention.
 DO:
o If bitten, treat it as if it were a venomous snakebite. Get a
description of the snake.
o Keep the victim calm.
o Remove restrictive clothing and jewelry near the bite.
o Keep the affected area below the level of the heart. Treat for
shock if necessary and get medical attention immediately.
o If your pet is bitten, seek veterinary treatment immediately.
 DO NOT:
o Do not try to kill or capture the snake to take it with you to the
doctor. Use a tourniquet or cold compress or try to suck out the
venom and do not cut into the bite.
o Avoid administering medications unless instructed by medical
physician.
o Allow the person or pet to engage in physical activity such as
walking or running. Instead carry them if they must be moved.
 ENCOUNTERING SNAKES Use a prop puppet
snake if available.
Snakes use their entire body to sense vibrations through the air and
ground. Most of the time a snake will sense your approach and retreat
before you even know it was in the area.
If you encounter a venomous snake away from human development, leave
it alone. It is in it natural environment. If you can’t tell if the snake is
venomous from a distance, leave it alone and treat it as if it were
venomous. Do not try to pick up the snake to identify it or try to move it.
Most venomous snake bites occur when people try to handle the snake to
move it. A bite can also be medically expensive. Treatment of a severe
venomous snake bite can cost between $20,000 and $30,000. Special
antivenin, a venom antitoxin serum must be brought in to treat the bite
victim.
DO:
 STAY CALM: Stand still if you hear a rattlesnake “rattle,” until you can
locate where the sound is coming from. You don’t want to jump away
and possibly land on top of the snake. Calmly walk away and give the
snake room to get away from you.
DO NOT:
 Do not panic, you need to be clear headed and calm to assess your
situation and to be a help to others.
 Do not pick up any snake or poke snakes with sticks. Snakes can
climb trees quickly. If a person tries to use a stick to flick the snake
away, the snake could climb up the stick.
If you hear a rattle:
 DO NOT TRY TO JUMP OR RUN. Again, if you do this, you may end
up jumping onto the snake or within the snake’s biting range.
Give the snake a wide space and go back the way you came if possible, or
make a wide path clear away from the snake to keep moving down the
path. Sometimes squirting a snake with water from a water bottle or hose
will encourage them to move on. Do not get too close to do so, it is best to
move from the area than to move the snake.
Learn more at wildawareutah.org