Are There Rattlesnakes in Montana?
The answer to that question is yes. Montana has the Prairie Rattlesnake. There are 10 species of snakes in Montana. The prairie rattler is the state’s only potentially deadly snake, though. In the paragraphs below, we’ll tell you all about the prairie rattlesnake. We’ll also tell you where these snakes are located in the state of Montana.
Pit Vipers
Rattlesnakes, Copperheads, and Cottonmouths belong to the venomous Viperidae family. Another name for these snakes is pit vipers. Pit vipers have heat-sensing pits between their nostrils and eyes. These pits are actually specialized organs that detect infrared radiation from prey animals. Pit organs enable pit vipers to strike their prey precisely, even in the dark. They are also able to detect body heat from about 1 meter away.
A pit viper has hollow fangs connected to venom glands. They use their fangs to inject venom into their prey. This venom immobilizes the prey, making it easier for the snake to consume. They primarily consume small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and small birds. These snakes play an important role in maintaining balance in rodent populations.
Prairie Rattlesnake
| Scientific Name: | Crotalus viridis |
| Description: | Adult Prairie Rattlesnakes average 3.3 feet (100 cm) in length. They are tan-colored with varying colors of brown blotches covering their bodies. |
| Habitat: | Look for Prairie rattlesnakes in open prairies, grasslands, and forested areas. |
| Conservation Status: | They are common in Montana. |
Prairie Rattlesnake Description
The prairie rattler has a stout body with a triangular head, a blunt nose, and a narrow neck. As with all pit vipers, they have a heat-sensing pit between their nostril and their eye. Their fangs are hollow and hinged, allowing them to be folded back against the roof of their mouth.
Body length for adult prairie rattlesnakes ranges between 39 and 60 inches (99 to 152 cm). Their base color varies. They may be greenish-gray, greenish-brown, or light brown. A series of dark brown blotches with white edges run the length of their spines. Smaller, lighter blotches run along their sides. The blotches merge into rings at the tail. They have two white stripes on each side of the face. One extends between the eye and the nostril and along the upper lip. The other starts behind the eye and runs down the neck. Their belly is light yellow with no blotches. At the end of their tail are shell-like hollow scales which form the rattle.
Female Prairie Rattlesnakes can give birth to anywhere from 4 to 25 young snakes in late summer or early fall. The timing varies depending on environmental conditions and the availability of food. Their young are born with venom and can be harmful if they bite you.
Prairie Rattlesnake Lookalikes
The Gopher Snake and the Plains Hog-Nosed Snake both have similar color patterns to a Prairie Rattlesnake. The Gopher Snake is non-venomous. On the other hand, the Plains Hog-Nosed Snake is mildly venomous but no threat to humans.
Where are Prairie Rattlesnakes Found in Montana?
The Prairie Rattlesnake is found in almost all of the state. An exception is north-western Montana. They favor the open and arid country but can also be found in pine and grassy forests. You are most likely to run into them in areas where they can sun themselves. These include rocky areas with southern exposures or south-facing slopes with rocky outcrops. Even though they den in large groups, they will range up to seven miles from their den in the summer months. They are mostly ground snakes. However, they occasionally climb into shrubs, bushes, or trees.
What Do Prairie Rattlesnakes Eat?
The Prairie Rattlesnake has a wide variety of prey because of its extensive range. They prefer small mammals. These include ground squirrels, mice, rabbits, prairie dogs, and rats. They will also dine on ground-nesting birds, amphibians, reptiles, and other snakes.
How Dangerous Are Prairie Rattlesnakes?
Prairie rattlesnake venom is a mix of hemotoxins and myotoxins. Furthermore, according to some literature, it also has neurotoxins.
Prairie rattlesnake bites can have serious effects. The venom can cause intense pain. It may also induce shock, making the victim feel weak and disoriented. Swelling, blistering, and inflammation can occur at the bite site. Their venom can also damage red blood cells and impair blood clotting. In severe cases, the bite may result in severe tissue damage. There is also a risk of harm to internal organs. Source
In 2006, a Roundup Montana man was killed by a bite from a prairie rattlesnake. Source
Be Cautious in Rattlesnake Country
The first thing people think about with regard to Rattlesnakes is their tails. When they are disturbed, they vibrate the rattles on their tails. This makes a buzzing or a rattling-type sound. However, sometimes, rattlers strike without rattling. You must be aware of where you are placing your hands and feet in rattlesnake country. If you hear a rattling noise, do not move until you spot its source. Otherwise, you may accidentally move into the snake, provoking it to strike you.
Be especially careful in areas where you have to use your hands to climb. Also, be alert in areas with thick brush or tall grass. You can use a long hiking stick to tap the ground in front of you. It might give an advance warning of a snake in your path and keep you at a safe distance.
It’s common sense to keep your dog on a leash in areas where rattlesnakes are common. Hunting dogs should have snake armor. Any snakebit dog should receive immediate veterinary care.
Snake encounters can sneak up on you suddenly if you’re not paying attention.
Here is an account from Montana’s Paradise Valley. Two teenage hikers happened upon a hillside covered with rattlers. They were concentrating on finding a spot with good phone reception. In the process, they didn’t notice the snakes at first.
Dressing For Rattlesnake Country
- High-top leather boots and long pants are both wise ideas.
- Also, wear loose-fitting denim to protect your lower legs. If there’s a gap before the snake’s fangs touch your skin, your chances of being envenomated are lower.
- In the absence of high-top leather boots, some people wear snake gaiters.
Symptoms of Venomous Snake Bites
Some of the symptoms you may experience when a venomous snake bites you include:
- Discoloration in the area of the bite.
- Swelling in the area of the bite.
- Loss of muscle coordination.
- Tingling sensation in the area of the bite.
- Feeling nauseous.
- Having a faster heart rate or rapid pulse.
- Difficulty breathing
What Should You Do if You Are Bitten?
If you or someone you are with has suffered a venomous snakebite, time is of the essence. Because the sooner a victim receives antivenom, the less chance the venom in their body has to cause harm. In other words, it is important to seek immediate medical treatment.
Do not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes. This gives the snake a chance to bite you again. Also, consider that severed snakeheads can still bite and envenomate and often do. If you have a cell phone, take a picture of the offending reptile. Otherwise, get started on your way to the nearest hospital.
First Aid for Snake Bite Victims
- Remain calm and limit your movements. Do not run. If you must hike back to a vehicle, do it calmly and deliberately. Put as little stress on your heart as possible.
- Keep the area of the snake bite below the heart level and never above the heart level. Keeping the bite below the heart level will reduce the venom’s flow. However, holding the bite above your heart level will increase the venom’s flow.
- Remove all constricting items such as bracelets, watches, or rings before swelling occurs.
- Remember that using a cold compress on a venomous snake bite is not advisable. The cold may cause the local blood vessels to constrict and spread the venom faster.
- You can wash the affected area like any other wound with soap and water.
- You may cover the bite area with a moist dressing to reduce the swelling.
- Get medical attention as soon as possible. Call the emergency room to tell them a venomous snake has bitten you. So they can have antivenom ready to give you when you arrive.
- A person whom a venomous snake has bitten may go into shock. If this happens, lay them flat and cover them with a blanket.
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